ABSTRACT
Both abnormal and normal personality traits of therapists can influence progress with psychotherapy. Although full-fledged personality disorders are unlikely, less intense expressions of avoidant, narcissistic, dependent, obsessive-compulsive, and borderline personality disorders can transpire and impede psychotherapy outcomes. Strategies are presented for addressing these issues. Regarding normal personality, several traits subsumed under virtue, prosocial, and psychologically minded, enhance psychotherapy progress when robust and impede it when deficient. Some “Big 5” personality traits can have a negative impact with the research reviewed. Experience as a therapist will improve certain problematic personality traits, and adopting a professional role helps to advance others.
