Can you be a consulting psychologist and work with people with presonality disorders?

Yes, but:

1. It would be most helpful to grasp just how many people with what appear to be personality disorders really have an underlying subclinical depression which may be completely relieved with an appropriate antidepressant. I can't tell you how many people have come to me with apparent personality disorders fulfilling all DSM criteria who were either completely cured with an antidepressant and no longer needed psychotherapy; or, while having their symptoms greatly relieved, now had gained sufficient ego strength that they could be better patients in psychotherapy. And let me add that many of these subclinical depressions do NOT necessarily fulfill DSM criteria for either Disthymic or Major Depressive Disorders.

2. Please forgive the apparent arrogance of this answer, but given the great advantages of using Web Browsers to obtain additional information on personality disorders, it is critical to check one's work so that the term "personality disorder" is spelled correctly--unless, of course, you have a very forgiving browser!

Steven A. Ager, M.D.

Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry

Temple University