MSW working with personality disorders

[Agenta2]

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I'm just looking for a little guidance in terms of what facet somebody with an MSW could work with regarding personality disorders. I am currently actively working on getting into grad school to pursue an msw, but am mainly interested in working with personality disorders in SOME capacity. I'm not exactly sure in what terms yet, but thinking that I would like to be involved in counseling those who have been victimized or in some way need therapy due to being involved with somebody w/a PD. Possibly giving/facilitating educational support groups, counseling, etc. I guess my question is, does anybody have any insight on what direction I could take this degree, and also, how to get my "feet wet" and get some exposure in working w/this subfield. My concern is that a social work degree/education doesn't have alot to do w/ this mentally ill population, but I understand that this is a valuable/versatile degree in terms of counseling/therapy which is why I'm pursuing it. Is it the right choice?? Sorry for making this so long ! 😳

 

[thepsychgeek]

First of all, I feel like working ONLY with PD-related issues might be a little too specific. Just a thought, I might be incorrect, but that's a very specific (and therefore probably small) area, so you might want to have some other related populations as well (with PD victims as a subgroup and primary focus). Also, there are many MSW programs with mental health foci (rather than, say, case management). Have you considered interning at a prison/juvenile center (that's what I did).

I still feel like if you're working with PD-related populations, SW might not be the best, but that's just my .02, and I'm not an expert in any way!

 

[pingouin]

half of my private practice case load have personality disorders, primarily borderline PD with a smattering of histrionic thrown in and the occasional antisocial. given my crisis intervention background and mental health concentration in my MSW program, I feel very comfortable treating these clients and have fairly good outcomes with those who are ready to work hard and make changes.

any of the previous suggestions myself and others have given will give exposure to PD clients- crisis work, inpatient psychiatric, SPMI case management.

I have seen one PD conference presenter who said almost 100% of his caseload have PDs, which he likes. that just seems like too much for me.. It's intense work- you need a break for it every once in a while.

 

[WannaBeDrMe]

Agreed with the break in treatment, it can be intense, that being said, I love SPMI and in particular, personality disorders. For the last year, I re-tooled a curriculum to create an adolescent DBT group for borderline young females. It was intense...but was rewarding.

I also had a strictly clinical training with an atypical internship (both years in same field placement, never did administrative, entirely clinical on an inpatient unit)...

I believe the MSW will adequately prepare you but you have to carve out that road for yourself... lots of flexibility can be a double edged sword in that almost every social worker I know has a different specific interest... yay flexibility.

Agreed with what the others say... another option EAP... employee assistance programs, I believe their most frequently mandated clients have personality disorders... some mixed anxiety/depression and prob a good deal of substance abuse... but also a good number of those who just can't seem to get along with anyone...

good luck!

 

[Agenta2]

Thank you guys so much for taking the time to give me your suggestions 🙂 I have some hard brain-storming to do to figure out the right avenue for my niche. Thanks again ! 🙂