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Article

Diagnosis with Millon's Personality System: Implications for Transactional Analysis Therapy

Pages 118-127
Published online: 28 Dec 2017
 
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Psychiatric diagnosis tends to have little direct relevance for psychotherapy. The personality disorders (Axis II) outlined in the third edition of the APA's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III, American Psychiatric Association, 1980) make diagnosis potentially more relevant to treatment, but even in that context diagnosis remains unrelated to a theoretical model. This article demonstrates how Millon's (1981; Millon & Everly, 1985) biosocial learning framework for Axis II disorders provides an important conceptual link between Axis II diagnosis and therapy using transactional analysis concepts. Tentative script analyses are offered to narrow the gap between Axis II diagnoses and therapy and in order to stimulate further discussion.

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Arthur Wouters

Arthur Wouters, M.A., is a clinical psychologist with the Unit for Cognitive Development where he develops and implements personal and cognitive skills programs to assist communities from deprived environments. He also has a part-time private practice.

Gillian Smale

Gillian Smale, M.A., is a clinical psychologist working in a mental hospital and community clinics in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. She also does part-time training of Masters-level therapy students and lay crisis counselors.
 

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