PodcastsEducationPersonality Couch

Personality Couch

Dr. Rebecca Houvener, Psy.D. LCP
Personality Couch
Latest episode

57 episodes

  • Personality Couch

    Ep 56: Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder DSM Symptoms

    16/06/2026 | 32 mins.
    🎬In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) explore the straightforward history of this condition, looking at fun names in history like anankastic and ambitendency. We also unpack the evolution of OCPD in the DSM, highlighting how our own compulsivity shows up in the naming and renaming of the disorder throughout history. We look in detail at the 8 criteria in the DSM and share our thoughts and criticisms about the DSM’s portrayal of this condition.  

    ⚠️Note: this podcast does not constitute a professional relationship. If you're in need of professional help, please seek out appropriate resources in your area. ⚠️

    Chapters
    00:00 Intro & History of OCPD
    00:35 The Term “Zwang” 
    01:21 The Term “Anankastic”
    02:08 The Term “Psychasthenia State”
    02:31 Freud’s Anal Character
    02:57 OCPD vs OCD 
    04:17 The Terms: Sensitive, Insecure, Ambitendency
    04:33 The Terms: Hoarding Orientation, Obsessive Character, Rigid Styles
    05:53 History of OCPD in the DSM
         06:05 OCPD in the DSM I 
         06:31 OCPD in the DSM II
         07:08 New OCPD Criteria in the DSM III 
         09:07 New OCPD Criteria in the DSM III-R
         11:10 OCPD in the DSM IV 
    12:06 OCPD in the DSM 5
         13:04 Criterion 1: Order, Perfectionism, Control
         15:44 Criterion 2: Extreme Perfectionism
         17:51 Criterion 3: Work Focused
         21:15 Criterion 4: Inflexible Values
         23:11 Criterion 5: Hoarding
         24:33 Criterion 6: Controlling
         26:03 Criterion 7: Financially Stingy
         26:59 Criterion 8: Rigidity
    27:44 Our Thoughts & Opinions
    30:11 Summary & Conclusion 

    👩‍⚕️Work With Us! 
    https://www.questpsych.org/ 

    Personality Couch Links
    🛋️Website
    https://www.personalitycouch.com/

    ✍️Blog (& Podcast Episode References)
    https://personalitycouch.com/blog/obsessive-compulsive-personality-disorder-diagnostic-criteria/ 

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    #mentalhealthpodcast #personalitydisorder #personalitydisorders #personalitytypes #personalitypsychology #personality #clinicalpsychology #mentalhealthprofessionals #mentalhealth #narcissism #psychology #psychopathology #DSM #psychodynamic #psychoanalysis #personalitydevelopment #personalitytrait #personalitytraits #ocpd #obsessivecompulsive #perfectionism #perfectionismrecovery #rigidity #compulsive #compulsivebehavior #mentalhealthawareness
  • Personality Couch

    Ep 55: The Dark Schizoid | When Detachment Turns Psychopathic

    02/06/2026 | 40 mins.
    🎬In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) explore the complex interplay between antisocial and schizoid personalities, highlighting their similarities, differences, and potential for danger when combined. Using the well-documented case of Scottish serial killer Dennis Nilsen, we analyze how these personality traits can manifest in deadly ways, especially when mixed with other dark features.

    ⚠️Note: this podcast does not constitute a professional relationship. If you're in need of professional help, please seek out appropriate resources in your area. ⚠️

    Chapters
    00:00 Intro
    00:37 Schizoid Personality Defined
    01:03 Antisocial Personality Defined
    01:23 How Schizoid and Antisocial Differ 
    02:11 Schizoid & Antisocial Similarities
              02:22 Neglectful Childhood 
              02:52 Unresponsive to Environment
              04:10 Non-Conforming 
              05:13 Aloofness
    05:54 The Nomadic Antisocial Defined (Schizoid Overlap)
    07:25 When Nomadic Antisocials Turn Dark
    09:26 When Detachment Turns Psychopathic
    10:27 Three Personalities Associated with Violent Crime
    13:12 Serial Killer & Necrophile: Dennis Nilsen | Our Disclaimer
    14:35 Dennis Nilsen’s Backstory 
    17:56 Nilsen’s First Murder
    19:27 Our Psychoanalysis of The Murders
               22:11 Did He Want to Get Caught?
               23:34 Attracted to Men Resembling His Sister
               24:20 Rejection of Same-Sex Attraction
               25:43 Alcohol's Role in Murder
               27:04 Dissection, Disposal, & Dissociation
               28:25 Boiling the Skulls?
               31:20 Trial & Psych Evaluators
               32:07 Detachment & Curiosity: A Schizoid Dynamic
               33:30 Would Prison Meet Social Needs?
               35:30 Was Nilsen a Passive Affectionless Psychopath?
    37:50 Enneagram Antisocial & Schizoid Overlap
    38:56 Summary & Conclusion 

    👩‍⚕️Work with Us!
    https://www.questpsych.org/

    Personality Couch Links
    🛋️Website
    https://www.personalitycouch.com/

    ✍️Blog (& Podcast Episode References)
    https://personalitycouch.com/blog/antisocial-personality-vs-psychopathy/

    Podcasts Referenced:
    https://youtu.be/VHWPYjyKpdw

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    https://www.instagram.com/personalitycouch/

    Facebook
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  • Personality Couch

    Ep 54: Antisocial vs Narcissistic Personality | What's the Difference?

    19/05/2026 | 34 mins.
    Antisocial vs Narcissistic Personality | What's the Difference? | Ep. 54

    🎬In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) explore the distinctions between antisocial personality and narcissistic personality by analyzing DSM diagnoses, Stones' Spectrum of Dark Personalities, and subtypes from Dr. Theodore Millon like: Reputation-Defending Devious, Exploitative Egotist,  and the Unprincipled Narcissist. 

    ⚠️Note: this podcast does not constitute a professional relationship. If you're in need of professional help, please seek out appropriate resources in your area. ⚠️

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction and Definitions 
            00:32 Narcissism Defined
            02:10 Antisocial Defined
    02:25 Antisocial Behaviors: Psychoanalysis of Ourselves
    07:53 Antisocial Developmental Stage
    09:11 Narcissistic Developmental Stage
    10:37 The DSM on Antisocial vs Narcissistic PDs
    12:27 Passive Parasitic vs Aggressive Antisocial Types
    13:17 Michael Stone’s Spectrum of Dark Personalities
    13:43 Malignant Narcissism Defined
    15:31 Active vs Passive Entitlement
    16:14 Millon’s Theory: ASPD vs NPD
    21:55 Millon’s Subtypes
            22:21 Reputation Defending Devious 
            23:07 Exploitative Egoist
            24:13 Unprincipled Narcissist
    25:40: Our Thoughts & Opinions
    31:28 Ego Cookies in Narci vs Antisocial
    31:56 Summary & Conclusion

    👩‍⚕️Work With Us! 
    https://www.questpsych.org/ 

    Personality Couch Links
    🛋️Website
    https://www.personalitycouch.com/

    ✍️Blog (& Podcast Episode References)
    https://personalitycouch.com/blog/antisocial-personality-vs-psychopathy/
  • Personality Couch

    Ep 53: Antisocial Personality vs Psychopathy | What's the Difference?

    05/05/2026 | 28 mins.
    🎬In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) explore the complex distinctions between antisocial personality and psychopathy, delving into historical terminology, key theories, and nuanced subtypes. This episode offers a deep dive into dark personality traits and how they differ.

    ⚠️Note: this podcast does not constitute a professional relationship. If you're in need of professional help, please seek out appropriate resources in your area. ⚠️

    Chapters
    00:00 Intro & History of Antisocial vs Psychopathy
            00:36 Psychopath and Sociopath Defined
            01:54 Cleckley’s Mask of Sanity
    03:21 Psychodynamic Theory on Psychopathy vs Antisocial
    04:17 The DSM on Psychopathy vs Antisocial
    04:35 Michael Stone’s Negative Personality Spectrum
             05:15 Level 1: Negative Personalities
             05:41 Level 2: Narcissistic & Paranoid Personality Disorders
             07:10 Level 3: Malignant Narcissism
             08:43 Level 4: Antisocial Personality Disorder
             09:28 Level 5: Psychopathy
             10:20 Level 6: Sadistic Personality
    12:32 Robert Hare's Psychopathy Checklist
    13:54 Hare’s Psychopathy Checklist vs DSM Antisocial 
    17:20 Millon’s Theory on Psychopathy
             19:30 Spineless Psychopath
             19:43 Unprincipled Psychopath (Narcissistic Core) 
             19:51 Disingenuous Psychopath (Histrionic Core)
             21:13 Risk-Taking Psychopath (Histrionic & Antisocial Features)
             21:26 Covetous Psychopath (Antisocial Core)
             21:57 Malignant Psychopath (Paranoid Core)
             22:10 Abrasive Psychopath (Negativistic & Paranoid Features)
             22:21 Explosive Psychopath (Sadistic Core, Borderline Features)
             22:58 Malevolent Psychopath (Paranoid & Sadistic Features)
             23:34 Tyrannical Psychopath (Negativistic & Sadistic Features)
    24:19 Our Thoughts
    27:14 Summary & Conclusion
  • Personality Couch

    Ep 52: The 6 Antisocial Subtypes

    21/04/2026 | 44 mins.
    🎬In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) unpack the passive-parasitic and aggressive subtypes from history before jumping into Dr. Theodore Millon’s 6 subtypes. At the mild level, we look at: the Covetously Aggrandizing & Disaffected Aggrandizing Antisocials. At the moderate level, we explore the Risk-Taking Devious and Reputation-Defending Devious Antisocials. At the severe/disordered level, we discuss the Nomadic & Malevolent Antisocial Subtypes. We end with our thoughts and opinions about the line for disorder and explain why the antisocial personality is so challenging to understand. 

    ⚠️Note: this podcast does not constitute a professional relationship. If you're in need of professional help, please seek out appropriate resources in your area. ⚠️

    Chapters
    0:00 Intro to Antisocial’s Historical Names
    02:16 Are antisocials born or made (psychopath vs sociopath)? 
    03:14 Passive-parasitic and Aggressive Antisocials
    04:32 What is a Normal Antisocial Personality?
              04:40 The Adventurer
              05:45 The Unconventional Antisocial  
    08:28 Intro to Millon’s 6 Subtypes
    08:48 Mild Level: Aggrandizing Antisocial
              09:59 Does Dominance Fill an Inner Void?
              10:52 The Covetously Aggrandizing Antisocial 
              11:22 Criminal Behavior at the Mild Level
              15:11 The Disaffected Aggrandizing Antisocial
              17:06 Proneness to Addiction
              18:11 Proneness to Infidelity
              19:02 Contrasting the Mild Types
    20:25 Moderate Level: The Devious Antisocial
              21:39 Risk-Taking Devious (Histrionic & Turbulent Features)
              25:56 Reputation-Defending Antisocial (Narcissistic & Sadistic Features)
              27:24 Proneness to Criminal Behavior 
              28:02 Relationship & Work Challenges
              29:17 What Are They Defending?
    31:17 Severe Level: Antisocial Personality Disorder
              31:45 Nomadic Antisocial (Schizoid & Avoidant Features)
              33:18 Doom & Invincibility Focus
              36:54 Malevolent Antisocial (Sadistic & Paranoid Features)
    41:49 Our Thoughts & Opinions
    43:46 Summary & Conclusion
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About Personality Couch
We all encounter personality conflict on a regular basis, whether we know it or not. From funky, can’t-quite-put-my-finger-on-it dynamics with that one friend or family member, to the big blowup drama at work with the last person you’d expect, it all comes down to personality. Join clinical psychologists, Dr. Rebecca Houvener, Psy.D, (“Doc Bok”) and Dr. Cheyenne Fisher, Psy.D., (“Doc Fish”) biweekly as they unpack the most complex topics like personality disorders and psychopathic behavior, while also making room for lighthearted discussions about personality typologies and humorous anecdotes from private practice. Whether you’re fascinated by personality darkness, a concerned friend or loved one, an “armchair psychologist,” or a licensed professional convinced there is something more going on with patients…. This show is for you.
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