About this on-demand training
Facilitator: Anita Federici, PhD, C.Psych., FAED
CE hours: 6
This training is suitable for:
- Mental Health Professionals: psychotherapists, counsellors, psychologists, social workers
- Medical Professionals: nurses, psychiatrists, pediatricians, family doctors
- Direct Service Workers: drop-in workers, shelter and hostel workers, child and youth workers, youth justice workers
- Educators: teachers, ECE, school administration, support staff
Client category: Professionals working with adult (18+) clients.
Level of training: Introductory to Intermediate
Description: Personality disorders (PDs) are complex and often misunderstood conditions marked by long-standing patterns in thinking, emotion regulation, and interpersonal behavior. While the DSM-5 categorizes ten PDs across three clusters—A (eccentric), B (emotional/erratic), and C (anxious/fearful)—real-world presentations are rarely so clear-cut. Misconceptions and stigma continue to persist, even among helping professionals.
This on-demand training is designed for professionals who want to improve their ability to assess, conceptualize, and compassionately respond to clients with personality disorders. It explores how PDs intersect with trauma, eating disorders, substance use, and emotional dysregulation—and what to do when standard approaches fall short.
Drawing from current literature, neuroscience, and clinical case examples, this training provides practical tools to build confidence in assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and client conversations. Participants will gain a clearer framework for understanding and supporting adults with personality disorders—without pathologizing or losing hope.
Learning objectives:
- Understand the DSM-5 framework for personality disorders, including common myths and misconceptions
- Identify similarities and distinctions among the three PD clusters (A, B, and C)
- Describe how neurobiological factors shape emotional and interpersonal patterns in PDs with specific focus on borderline and narcissistic personality disorders
- Apply structured assessment tools and screening measures in your practice
- Strengthen communication skills when discussing PD diagnoses and conceptualizations with clients and teams
- Design more targeted, empathetic, and evidence-informed treatment plans for individuals with PDs
- Describe options for helping family members
This program was originally recorded on January 29 and 30, 2026 for a total of 6 training hours.
Event updated April 15, 2026.
Upon registration, participants will receive a confirmation email that includes access information to our on-demand training platform, SickKids Academy Online.
Participants will have access for 90 days from the date they begin the course on SickKids Academy Online.
Following the training, participants are required to complete a quiz to receive the Certificate of Participation.
Accessibility
We strive to ensure our online learning programs are easy for everyone, everywhere. This on-demand webinar will include automated closed-captioning and transcript.
Disclaimer: The automated closed captioning and transcript are based on the accuracy of the audio recording and may contain some gaps or inaccuracies. They are meant to be an assistive tool and not an official record. Please refer to the original audio/video for full and accurate communication.
If you have other accessibility requirements, please email Mary Anne Van Rooyen at mvanrooyen@sickkidscmhlearning.ca to let us know how we can best support your learning experience.
Continuing Education (CE) Information: SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health Learning Institute is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) to offer continuing education (CE) hours. Full-day programs equal six CE hours; half-day programs equal three CE hours; for less than half-day programs, one hour of programming equals one CE hour. SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health Learning Institute maintains responsibility for the programs.
Other licensing boards and professional organizations will grant continuing education credits for attendance at their own discretion; participants will need to submit the course outline and Certificate of Participation for their consideration.