By Benjamin Andrews
Personality diagnoses are expressed in descriptive language but always carry prescriptive
assumptions about what it means to be “healthy” or “disordered.” Unfortunately, contemporary
diagnostic perspectives (for example, those in the DSM-5-TR) excel only at describing the
“disordered” dimension, offering those with personality disorders no rationale for change except
avoiding practical impairments (i.e., avoiding consequences); likewise, diagnostic categories are
intentionally morally shy, purposefully refraining from making their implicit assumptions explicitly
prescriptive, and this shyness results in an underdeveloped vision for healthy personality. As
Christian therapists, we have much to gain from secular psychology in understanding
disorder and perhaps even more to offer by clearly articulating God’s vision for the good.
Not only so, but we also have Good News for those with personality disorders: God made us
good in His image, gave us good teleological purposes that offer deep fulfillment, and can heal
us with His perfect love and power.
Ben is a licensed psychologist who works with adults encountering a variety of challenges in their lives, including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, OCD, history of trauma, addiction, and bipolar disorder. He is particularly interested in faith and spirituality as they arise during the course of therapy, and he also enjoys supporting others in the helping professions (therapists/counselors, social workers, doctors, nurses, pastors and priests, etc.).
