Personality Disorders: Lunch & Learn Series Part 3/4

How Personality Disorders Can Contribute to High-Conflict Dynamics

This program examines the specific ways personality disorders and maladaptive personality traits fuel high-conflict patterns in families, professional relationships, and legal matters. Participants will learn how emotional reactivity, cognitive distortions, interpersonal sensitivities, and rigid coping strategies can escalate disputes and undermine collaborative problem-solving. Through a practical, research-informed framework, the training highlights warning signs, predictable conflict cycles, and common pitfalls professionals encounter when these dynamics are present. Designed for interdisciplinary professionals, this session equips attendees with tools to identify personality-driven conflict behaviors early and respond in ways that promote stability, structure, and reduced escalation.

For Legal Professionals:

Attending this program will help you recognize how personality-driven behaviors escalate disputes, complicate negotiations, and impact case progression, allowing you to plan and advocate more strategically. You’ll gain practical tools to manage high-conflict interactions, reduce reactivity, and maintain structure in cases where personality disorders play a significant role.

For Mental Health Professionals:

This training will deepen your understanding of how personality disorders contribute to intense relational patterns, therapeutic ruptures, and chronic co-parenting conflict. You’ll learn strategies to maintain boundaries, anticipate escalation, and intervene more effectively when high-conflict dynamics threaten the stability of treatment or family functioning.