About the webinar
Therapeutic work with personality disorders rarely follows a straight line. Clients often move
through cycles of improvement and setbacks, emotional clarity and confusion, connection
and withdrawal. This session explores how to navigate the natural ebb and flow of change,
with a focus on distinguishing between clinical regression and periods of remission.
Regression can occur when a client becomes overwhelmed, triggered, or emotionally
dysregulated, leading to a temporary return to old patterns, such as impulsivity, splitting, or
self-harm. Rather than viewing this as failure, we’ll discuss how to understand regression as
part of the healing process and an opportunity to strengthen insight, build new coping
strategies, and deepen the therapeutic alliance.
Remission, on the other hand, is often misunderstood. It doesn’t always mean the absence of
symptoms, but rather an increase in emotional regulation, relationship stability, and internal
coherence. Clinicians will learn how to identify signs of true remission, such as reduced
reactivity, greater self-awareness, and more consistent behavior across settings, and support
clients in maintaining these gains.
We’ll also address how to talk with clients about setbacks without reinforcing shame or
hopelessness, and how to normalize the nonlinear nature of recovery. Case examples will
highlight how clinicians can remain steady, validating, and focused during both regression
and remission periods.
By learning to navigate these cycles with confidence and compassion, clinicians can reduce
burnout, increase resilience, and help clients stay engaged, even when progress doesn’t look
perfect.
What You’ll Learn:
- Differentiate Regression from Remission
Identify and distinguish clinical regression (temporary return to maladaptive patterns) from remission (enhanced emotional regulation, relational stability, and internal coherence), understanding their distinct roles in the therapeutic process. - Leverage Regression Therapeutically:
Develop strategies to reframe regression as an opportunity for insight and growth, using setbacks to strengthen coping skills, deepen the therapeutic alliance, and address unresolved emotional triggers. - Assess and Support Remission Milestones:
Recognize signs of remission, such as reduced reactivity, consistent behavior across contexts, and increased self-awareness, and implement interventions to reinforce and sustain these gains. - Navigate Setbacks with Compassion:
Apply communication techniques to discuss cycles of progress and relapse without reinforcing shame, normalizing nonlinear recovery while maintaining client engagement and clinician resilience.
Agenda:
Understand the difference between clinical regression and remission, and how to navigate both.
10 min – Intro to Regression and Remission
Define, normalize, and explain cyclical nature of PD treatment
15 min – Relapse Case Review
Detail client case with periods of stability and reactivation
30 min – Discussion
What triggered the regression?
How do we maintain therapeutic continuity?
20 min – Interventions
Crisis response, stabilizing the frame, managing reactivity
15 min – Prevention and Reentry Plans
Building anticipation of regression into treatment planning

Personality Disorder Expert: Psychologist, Author
Dr. Daniel J. Fox, Ph.D., is a internationally renowned psychologist whose groundbreaking work in personality disorders has transformed the landscape of mental health treatment, offering hope to those struggling with complex emotional challenges. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Fox has esta...

Personality Disorder Expert: Psychologist, Author
Dr. Daniel J. Fox, Ph.D., is a internationally renowned psychologist whose groundbreaking work in personality disorders has transformed the landscape of mental health treatment, offering hope to those struggling with complex emotional challenges. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Fox has esta...
Learning Objectives
Identify and distinguish clinical regression (temporary return to maladaptive patterns) from remission (enhanced emotional regulation, relational stability, and internal coherence), understanding their distinct roles in the therapeutic process.
Develop strategies to reframe regression as an opportunity for insight and growth, using setbacks to strengthen coping skills, deepen the therapeutic alliance, and address unresolved emotional triggers.
Recognize signs of remission, such as reduced reactivity, consistent behavior across contexts, and increased self-awareness, and implement interventions to reinforce and sustain these gains.
Apply communication techniques to discuss cycles of progress and relapse without reinforcing shame, normalizing nonlinear recovery while maintaining client engagement and clinician resilience.
