Much of my practice over the years has involved treating individuals with significant disturbances of character. What they need most is to learn self-regulatory skills and self-discipline, but quick-fix medications rob them of the opportunity to make meaningful investments in personal development.

Sometimes, people truly don’t know what they’re doing when they engage in behaviors that are harmful to themselves or others. But other times, they know full well what they are doing and simply lie about it.

One of the most serious misconceptions about self-esteem is that you can never have too much of it.

Human beings have one amazing power, but one power only — the power of choice.

Our conceptualizations of the situations we find ourselves in can not only place us at a disadvantage, but can literally do us harm.

There’s no need to “red flag” action that you’re willing to take if the disturbed character won’t change. Don’t threaten, just take action.

In the course of human relations, we frequently make agreements with one another. Because disturbed characters are not reliable, trustworthy, or prone to play fairly, making any kind of agreements with them can be a risky business indeed.