Conway Dependent Personality Disorder Therapy

Dependent Personality Disorder Therapy in Conway, AR—Therapy and Counseling

Buster Bluth was hiding under a conference table. He had just finished running his first business meeting with employees of his father’s real estate company, or more accurately, he had just finished attempting to run his first business meeting. After their father’s arrest, the other Bluth brothers walked away from the business, so Buster stepped up. The only problem was that Buster’s first day on the job was literally his first day on any job. In his three decades of living, Buster had barely taken care of himself much less anyone else. Instead, he lived at home, and his mother provided for his every need. Buster, in turn, lived to please her, even zipping up her dresses whenever she called to him, “zip me up!” On the show Arrested Development, Buster was the infantile character who produced a lot of laughs, but he was also a caricature—an extreme illustration of what it is like to have Dependent Personality Disorder.

Buster is a funny guy, but the disorder is a serious illness. People with Dependent Personality Disorder face many personal and professional problems. They often need a caretaker or authority figure to please. They usually have low self-esteem and do not trust themselves to provide for their own needs. When people have the disorder, they often do not make the transition into adulthood and remain in a perpetual adolescence. Living their own, unique, independent life is often difficult if not impossible for people with the disorder. Dependent Personality Disorder is a severe illness, but it has effective treatments. When people work with a mental health professional, they often learn how to live a self-reliant, autonomous life.

“Man’s life is independent.
He is born not for the development of the society alone,
but for the development of his self.”
—B. R. Ambedkar

That is why Thriveworks Conway offers therapy for Dependent Personality Disorder. Our therapists have helped many people find the treatment they need and learn how to live the unique life they deserve.

Red Flags for Dependent Personality Disorder

Two key beliefs undergird Dependent Personality Disorder: People tell themselves that they are incapable of providing for their own psychological, financial, material, and emotional needs. People also tell themselves that others (specifically, authority figures) must provide for their needs. These two beliefs can fuel many, many difficulties in an individual’s life. When people have Dependent Personality Disorder, they often feel incapable. They may suffer from separation anxiety when they are away from authority figures. They are often clingy and have difficulty accurately assessing their strengths and weaknesses. Instead, they over-emphasize their fault and underestimate their abilities.

A full description of the disorder is given in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). The signs for Dependent Personality Disorder (301.6[F70.7]) are:

  1. Fear of separation.
  2. A need to be cared for.
  3. Submissive behavior.

For a diagnosis to be made, at least five of the following will be present as well:

  • Needing reassurance and advice for everyday decisions. For example, having a parent check over one’s grocery list or calling to ask permission to purchase a new pair of jeans.
  • Experiencing discomfort with one’s individuality and independence.
  • Giving responsibility of significant areas of one’s life over to an authority figure. For example, having a parent pay one’s bills.
  • Fearing abandonment—particularly if it means caring for oneself.
  • Going to extremes to ensure the nurture and support of one’s caregivers. For example, downplaying one’s true opinions or feelings to secure someone’s care.
  • Being overly compliant with what others believe.
  • When one caretaking relationship ends, quickly establishing a new relationship that provides for one’ needs.
  • Difficulty building and maintaining mutual relationships that do not morph into caretaking relationships.

Even a passing glance at these symptoms shows the disruption that Dependent Personality Disorder can have in an individual’s life. Often, their personal and professional lives are severely handicapped. They may lack the confidence and initiative to advance in their careers. The disorder also raises an individual’s risk for other problems, such as anxiety and depression.
Treating Dependent Personality Disorder

“The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.”
—Michel de Montaigne

The treatment plan for Dependent Personality Disorder must focus upon self-reliance and independence. The mental health professional cannot become another caregiver and authority figure in a client’s life. In order to achieve this goal, there are several options for treatment, including…

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy: this therapy looks at the disordered thought patterns that fuel the disorder. It seeks to help clients recognize those thoughts so that they can be replaced with positive, true thoughts.
  • Medication: as part of a holistic plan for healing, some clients may need medication. In particular, if someone is also suffering from depression and/or anxiety, medication combined with therapy may allow people to make progress in long-term healing.
  • Psychodynamic therapy: this therapy focuses upon how and when the dependency formed. It is a long-term therapy, but it has proven effective in treating Dependent Personality Disorder. It seeks to get to the root of the harm caused by the disorder.

Treatment at Thriveworks Conway

If you are ready to meet with a mental health professional about your dependency, know that the therapists at Thriveworks Conway are ready to meet with you. When you call our office, your first appointment may be the following day. We accept many different forms of insurance, and we offer evening and weekend sessions. Call today.

Thriveworks Counseling Conway

People Love Our Providers!

Overall Rating: 5★★★★★ based on 20 5 1 20 reviews. See all reviews
Thriveworks Counseling Conway

Professional

★★★★★
My interactions in the past two years with all Thriveworks employees have been positive. The staff at Thriveworks Conway and Maumelle exemplify true caring for their clients and conduct themselves in a most professional manner. I have no reservations in recommending them to my friends and family members.
Thriveworks Counseling Conway

Best in Conway!

★★★★★
My depression and anxiety were taken over my life and I knew I had to make a change. Just like everyone else I thought I didn't need counseling. After my first session with Kristen G., I knew God had placed me with a compassionate, and caring therapist. Without a doubt I would recommend Thriveworks and their team of professionals
Thriveworks Counseling Conway

Top Notch Facility

★★★★★
Thriveworks is a top notch facility with great after hour scheduling. The environment is very inviting and peaceful. Therapist work diligently to serve their clients with the highest quality of therapy. Kristen Grubbs is one of the exemplary therapist and is highly recommended.
Thriveworks Counseling Conway

Kristen Grubbs

★★★★★
Kristen Grubbs Is an exceptionally great therapist. She takes time to listen and understand her client needs and works with care, compassion, and integrity to ensure that their counseling needs are met.
Thriveworks Counseling Conway

Letha RIchardson

★★★★★
Letha is a person who is blessed to be doing exactly what she was meant to do in life. She puts her heart and soul into everything she does and her patients will benefit greatly from this approach. When you combine her compassion and her commitment she will be a pleasure to work with.
Thriveworks Counseling Conway

Letha Richardson ROCKS!!!

★★★★★
Letha is one of those special people that instantly puts you at ease & makes you feel like you have known her for all of your life. She constantly shares emphatic wisdom and knowledge with a God focused foundation, and an awesome sense of humor. She has been such a blessing in my life, as I know she will be to all those she counsels. Her compassion for other people is inexhaustible!! Thriveworks is blessed by having Letha Richardson as a counselor - she ROCKS at it !!!
Thriveworks Counseling Conway

Letha Richardson

★★★★★
By having Letha as an employee you have a good one. She loves being a councilor. She is very outgoing and observant of the people she is in contact with. She will be an excellent employee.
Thriveworks Counseling Conway

Friendly Staff and relaxing atmosphere!

★★★★★
The people who work here are incredibly welcoming and friendly! I love and appreciate how I instantly feel at home at Thriveworks. The atmosphere is also very calming in general; less like an office building, more like a home. 😁
Thriveworks Counseling Conway

Perfect

★★★★★
All of the staff at are amazing people! I stopped going because of my insurance but I'm definitely planning on going back!
Thriveworks Counseling Conway

Very easy

★★★★★
Very easy to start talking for initial visit
Thriveworks Counseling Conway

Put me at ease

★★★★☆
Only had one session so far but Hollie instantly put me at ease and I am looking forward to seeing her again next week!
Thriveworks Counseling Conway

Felt very comfortable

★★★★★
Felt very comfortable with my therapist. Witch is very had for me. Really need a Phyc. Though. Thank you
Thriveworks Counseling Conway

Fantastic Experience

★★★★★
Curtiss has used his talent and unparalleled ethical standards to assemble a team of Therapists that are skilled and caring. The office atmosphere and client care offered by this agency are incredible. I highly recommend Conway to anyone considering life coaching or counseling services.
Thriveworks Counseling Conway

Professional

★★★★★
I had the pleasure of working with on an advertising project. Their communication was great and they were easy to work with. Judging from my experience with their team I would recommend them, and say they are professional in the way they conduct business.
Thriveworks Counseling Conway

Friendly and Qualified

★★★★★
I refer clients to with confidence, knowing that their friendly and qualified counselors will provide the same quality care I pursue personally.
Thriveworks Counseling Conway

AWESOME STAFF!!

★★★★★
Terrific staff and easy to work with! Curtis takes pride in his work and that of his staffs! Awesome people!!
Thriveworks Counseling Conway

Beyond helpful

★★★★★
My experience continues to exceed my expectations. The coaching I have received has helped me grow professionally and personally!
Thriveworks Counseling Conway

is Amazing!

★★★★★
The professional counselors and coaches at are extremely professional and have their clients' best interests at heart. From the moment you walk in the front door, everyone makes you feel comfortable and welcome. I have taken the Myers-Briggs personality test and am currently receiving professional coaching. I have already made changes to my daily routine that has given me more energy and more time for my family. I directly associate those positive life changes to the coaching I've received at Thriveworks, and highly recommend Curtiss and his staff!
Thriveworks Counseling Conway

Changed my business

★★★★★
The staff at are great. I became a networking partner with Curtiss Robinson and with some executive coaching my business is booming. I enjoy my time at as well as all the helpful tips and tricks I've been shown to help increase my own business. The atmosphere and office are.inviting and friendly with very little wait time to see who you are there to see. Exellent group of people and highly recommended.
Thriveworks Counseling Conway

GREAT Service!!

★★★★★
Great experience with several staff at Thriveworks. Great therapists and lovely office. They were on time for appointments and I enjoyed the beverage station if I arrived early. I would highly recommend their staff and facility right here in Conway!
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Thriveworks Counseling

Schedule your first appointment with a Thriveworks Counselor or Life Coach!

  • 2100 Spring Valley Dr Suite A
    Conway, AR 72034

  • Mon-Fri:8AM-9PM
    Sat-Sun:8AM-5PM

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