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Understanding Personality Disorders and Longstanding Emotional Patterns

Discover Healthier Patterns: Compassionate Assessment and Care for Personality Disorders.

Discover Healthier Patterns: Compassionate Assessment and Care for Personality Disorders In California.

Discover Healthier Patterns: Compassionate Assessment and Care for Personality Disorders In New York.

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Licensed in: California (PSY33145) & New York (025715)

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Common Challenges

Personality disorders are characterized by enduring patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that can lead to distress and difficulties in relationships and daily life. It’s essential to understand that these are not character flaws; rather, they are deeply rooted coping strategies that may have once served a purpose but now cause pain. Common types of personality disorders include Borderline, Avoidant, Narcissistic, and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder. Individuals may struggle with an unstable self-image, fear of abandonment, perfectionism, or emotional volatility. Many have experienced invalidating environments or trauma that have shaped how they perceive themselves and others. Recognizing these challenges is the first step toward healing and transformation.

Cognitive and Emotional Patterns

People facing personality-related difficulties often struggle with cognitive issues, including executive functioning, attention, and memory problems. They can also find it hard to regulate intense emotions, form secure attachments, and maintain consistent self-esteem. Overall, these challenges can affect academic and professional performance, including difficulty working with others, tolerating stress, organizing/planning, managing time, and making decisions. Some early signs in development may include challenges that might manifest as rigid rule-following, black-and-white thinking, or chronic self-criticism. In academic settings, these cognitive issues can lead to procrastination, missed deadlines, and struggles with attention, ultimately impacting their overall performance. For adults, the effects may be seen in unstable relationships, feelings of chronic emptiness, or a tendency to idealize and then devalue others, along with challenges in managing work and family responsibilities.

Relationship and Professional Impacts

The effects of personality disorders can ripple through relationships, leading to cycles of tumultuous interaction characterized by alternating closeness and withdrawal, trust, and conflict. In professional environments, individuals may display perfectionistic tendencies, controlling behaviors, or heightened sensitivity to criticism, making it difficult to collaborate effectively with others. Over time, these patterns contribute to feelings of isolation and burnout.

Why Testing Matters

Without proper evaluation, personality disorders often go untreated or may be misdiagnosed as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. A compassionate assessment is key to clarifying the root causes of recurring pain and opens the door to targeted, life-changing therapy. Many clients describe the testing process as a pivotal turning point, where feelings of self-blame begin to shift toward greater self-awareness, self-compassion, and understanding. At Susan Chi Psychology, we are dedicated to providing a supportive environment for exploring these complex emotional patterns. With a clear diagnosis and personalized treatment recommendations, healing and personal growth are not just possible, they are well within reach!
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Meet Your Therapist

Susan Chi, PhD

Susan Chi, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist in California and New York

Client & Professional Testimonials

"I have struggled with depression my entire life, and no psychologist has been able to help me like Susan. With her kindness and professionalism, I was able to get through the most challenging time of my life. Sessions with Susan were life-changing and something I looked forward to every week. I wouldn’t be where I am now without her. I’ll be grateful forever.”
H.T.Former Individual Therapy Client
Dr. Chi is a dedicated, supportive, and empathetic provider who truly listens to her patients and provides empirically-based treatments tailored to her patients' needs. Her ability to give diagnostically accurate assessments, alongside thoughtful treatment recommendations, further adds to her already impressive skill set!
Alice Perez, PhDLicensed Clinical Neuropsychologist, Neurology Department, Yale University
Having worked with many therapists before, I never thought that it was possible to achieve results without spending many months to years in therapy; but, Susan was able to help me feel more centered and at peace in just a few sessions using somatic techniques.
S.C.Former Individual Therapy Client
"I struggled with gender dysphoria, and for years I fretted about whether or not to transition - or what transition could even look like for me. But after seeing Dr. Susan Chi I found the courage to make the choices that were best for me. To this day, I am satisfied with the decisions I made while seeing her."
P.A.Former Individual Therapy Client
Susan set the stage for compassionate listening and emotional connection in our marriage. She really understood us as a couple, as well as who we are individually in terms of our backgrounds and cultures. Susan helped us work through a lot of anger, coldness, and pain and helped us learn how to help each see how our dynamic wasn't working, as well as where it came from, and how to use new ways of relating to build security and trust. Thank you.
ST & VMFormer Couples Therapy Clients
Dr. Chi is a caring, warm, dedicated provider that constantly strives to provide effective treatment to the people that she works with. She is dedicated to understanding her clients, their context, and their intersectionalities. Dr. Chi is skilled at constructing healthy therapeutic environments that allow space for healing and growth. It is lovely to work with her and see her help her clients untangle past traumas as they move forward with their lives.
Jessica Carmona, PhDLicensed Clinical Psychologist, VA Medical Center
Dr. Chi is a talented and caring clinician. Her thoroughness, compassion, and diagnostic accuracy go a long way toward creating a comfortable and trusted environment for her clients/patients. Her evidence-based practices incorporate the latest research on both identification and intervention for individuals with varied presenting issues—earning her an outstanding reputation within the neuropsychological (and broader medical) community.
Laura Rabin, PhD, Licensed Psychologist and Clinical NeuropsychologistFaculty at Brooklyn College, CUNY and Associate Editor, The Clinical Neuropsychologist
"My time with Susan has been life-changing. Her sessions are something that I look forward to each week, and never fail to provide me with confidence, energy, and a new understanding of my own thoughts and emotions. She is an incredible listener who has provided me with a sense of control in my life. I truly couldn't imagine this past year without her."
G.S.Former Individual Therapy Client
Dr. Chi is kind, professional, and puts you at ease. She really cares and sees the best in your relationship. She helped gain our relationship back. Even though it was hard for me to learn to listen, heal, and eventually forgive my husband...and it was hard for him to put his anxiety and guilt aside to support me - we learned so much about each other in the process. I feel stronger and more secure and ready to move on.
C.B. & F.R.Former Couples Therapy Clients
Dr. Susan Chi is a thoughtful and compassionate clinician who is adept at understanding the complexity of trauma within a framework that is mindful of intersectionality and individuation. Her experience working with diverse military and civilian populations provides foundational knowledge from which Dr. Chi more fully assesses, consults, and treats all individuals. With this open mindset, Dr. Chi skillfully meets patients where they are in order to cultivate meaningful change. In addition to the delight of witnessing clinical progress with her patients, collaborating with Dr. Chi is intellectually invigorating and exciting.
Stephanie Nelson, PsyD, Licensed Clinical PsychologistNew York University Langone, Department of Psychiatry; VA NY Harbor Healthcare System, Manhattan Campus
Dr. Chi is a great referral resource for my patients. She is able to understand the needs of people with a whole host of complicated medical conditions and functional difficulties that can effect their mental health and day-to-day challenges. My patients praise her for being a thoughtful and effective therapist. I am grateful to have a colleague with such talent and skill.
Dr. Grace Tran, O.D., Board Certified Optometrist, Low Vision Rehabilitation Specialist Diamond Vision Center, Pasadena, CA

*In accordance with APA Ethical Standard 3.05, testimonials listed on this site are anonymized. Permission was obtained after the clients concluded services. Clients were not reimbursed for their recommendations.

Other Psychological Tests

ADHD (Assessment & Coaching)

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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

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Bipolar Disorder

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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

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Insurance

In-network with Aetna, Cigna, and Optum. We also accept self-pay and can provide a superbill for clients with PPO insurance.

Cancellation Policy

Scheduled appointments cancelled within 24 hours notice will be billed.

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