Ep 06: Psychodynamic Personality Classifications (as Ice Cream)

Ep 06: Psychodynamic Personality Classifications (as Ice Cream)

Author: Dr. Rebecca Houvener, Psy.D. LCP July 16, 2024 Duration: 38:58
In this episode of the Personality Couch, we discuss personality flavors and typologies from a psychodynamic lens, using ice cream as our metaphor. Unique to the psychodynamic perspective is the multi-dimensional way it captures personality. We explore psychodynamic’s three personality axes throughout the episode: the severity axis (ranging from personality style to disorder level); the organizational axis (representing movement and disintegration within personality structures); and the character axis (representing distinct personality names and characteristics). We further explore psychopathic, schizoid, depressive and manic, self-defeating, borderline/cyclophrenic, and dissociative personality structures within this framework. A note to our audience: this is a complex and deep topic, and we recommend tuning in to episodes 04 and 05 first: Personality Disorders as Ice Cream Flavors and Millon’s Personality Types (as Ice Cream flavors) first before diving in. Alternatively, you can check out our blogs with visual aides here to guide you: https://www.personalitycouch.com/blog/psychodynamic-personality-classification-as-ice-cream/ 00:00 Introduction to Psychodynamic Tradition01:46 The Multidimensional Approach to Personality02:45 The Severity Axis: From Style to Disorder05:17 The Organizational Axis: State Change in Personality    6:46 Neurotic as Freezer Burned Ice Cream    7:03 Psychotic as Melted Ice Cream    7:23 Borderline as Melting Ice Cream 10:40 The Character Axis: Personality Categories11:05 Psychopathic (Antisocial) Personality11:40 Schizoid Personality17:36 Self-Defeating (Masochistic) Personality18:50 Manic and Depressive Personality    20:58 Cyclophrenic/Borderline Personality    24:39 The Complexities of the Name “Borderline”    26:59 Introjective and Anaclitic Depressive Personality    29:32 Quiet Borderline31:55 Dissociative Personality36:32 Summary

On the Personality Couch podcast, the subtle and often confusing tensions that shape our daily lives are brought into focus. Hosted by clinical psychologists Dr. Rebecca Houvener (“Doc Bok”) and Dr. Cheyenne Fisher (“Doc Fish”), this conversation moves beyond abstract theory to examine the real-world friction we navigate. Every other week, they take apart those puzzling interactions-the off-kilter feeling with a relative, the unexpected clash with a colleague-and trace them back to their roots in personality structure. Their dialogue is a practical exploration, offering listeners a framework to understand not just others, but their own reactions and patterns. You’ll hear detailed breakdowns of complex relational dynamics, all discussed with the clarity and nuance that comes from clinical expertise. The aim is to provide actionable insight, transforming confusion into comprehension. This isn’t about labeling people; it’s about deciphering the hidden language of human behavior that operates in our friendships, families, workplaces, and broader culture. By tuning in, you gain a shared vocabulary for the unspoken, making sense of the conflicts we all face but don’t always know how to address. The podcast serves as a guide for anyone looking to improve their connections and their own self-awareness, one conversation at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 56

Personality Couch
Podcast Episodes
Ep 15: BPD Part 3: Suicidal Behavior and Self Injury [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:34
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we delve into the complexities of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), focusing on the themes of suicidal ideation and self-harm. We explore the DSM criteria for BPD, t…
Ep 14: BPD Part 2: Fear of Abandonment, Psychosis, and Dissociation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:43
In our second episode of the Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) series, we discuss how this condition manifests in relationships and clinical practice. We explore the pervasive patterns of instability, fear of abandon…
Ep 13: BPD Part 1: History, the Media, and the DSM Symptoms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:19
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we delve into the complexities of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). We discuss the stigma and misinformation surrounding BPD, the media's misrepresentation of the di…
Ep 12: Myths About Being a Mental Health Professional [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:48
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we discuss common myths surrounding therapy and therapists. We debunk misconceptions about therapists being perfect, the necessity of shared experiences for effective the…
Ep 11: The Drama Triangle in Every Personality Disorder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:58
In this episode, we dive into the concept of the drama triangle, a psychological model that explains interpersonal conflict through three roles: the victim, the persecutor, and the rescuer. We explore the historical cont…
Ep 10: How We Diagnose Personality Disorders as Professionals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:55
In this episode, we discuss how we diagnose personality disorders as licensed professionals in clinical practice. Personality data is often observed as early as the initial contact for treatment. Once treatment begins, w…
Ep 09: Cultural Trends & Mental Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:23
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we discuss four trends we have observed in the post-pandemic world: collective trauma, mental health diagnoses as identity labels, over-identification with neurodivergenc…
Ep 08: Enneagram Personality Classifications [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:27
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we provide an overview of the Enneagram personality typology as a growth tool instead of a personality "box" or label. We discuss our personal journeys with the Enneagram…
Ep 07: Personalities That Kill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:37
In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we discuss personality darkness and specifically focus on personalities that are prone to violence and extreme behavior. We also discuss two important research studies, t…
Ep 05: Millon's Personality Types (as Ice Cream Flavors) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:03
In this episode, we continue discussing personality typologies, focusing on Dr. Theodore Millon's classifications. We explore six unique types in terms of their characteristics, behaviors, and potential co-occurring diso…