Personality Couch cover art

Personality Couch

Personality Couch

By: Dr. Rebecca Houvener Psy.D. LCP
Listen for free

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.Copyright 2025 All rights reserved. Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Ep 56: Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder DSM Symptoms
    Jun 16 2026

    🎬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/

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

    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/personalitycouch

    #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

    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • Ep 55: The Dark Schizoid | When Detachment Turns Psychopathic
    Jun 2 2026

    🎬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

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

    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/personalitycouch

    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • Ep 54: Antisocial vs Narcissistic Personality | What's the Difference?
    May 19 2026

    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/

    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet