Demi Kourtesi, Psychologist

The DSM-5 recognizes 10 distinct personality syndromes: Paranoid (distrust and suspicion of others), Schizoid (detachment from social relationships), Schizotypal (social discomfort and eccentric behavior), Antisocial (disregard for the rights of others), Borderline (instability in relationships and emotions), Histrionic (excessive emotionality and attention-seeking), Narcissistic (a grandiose sense of self-importance), Avoidant (social inhibition and hypersensitivity to criticism), Dependent (an excessive need to be cared for), and Obsessive-Compulsive personality disorder (a preoccupation with orderliness and control). If you’re interested in learning more about these personality syndromes, this short screener can provide some insights, but it is not a substitute for a professional evaluation: https://similarminds.com/personality_disorder_test.html

These conditions often affect every aspect of a person’s life, from daily functioning to relationships and self-esteem. Her clinical expertise includes the use of Psychodynamic Therapy, Exposure and Response/Ritual Prevention (EX/RP), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to support individuals in overcoming interpersonal challenges, intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, and mood instability. Demi is committed to helping clients understand how neurodevelopmental differences and trauma histories influence their behavior and emotional experiences. She uses targeted interventions and testing tools to assist in diagnosis and treatment planning, ensuring each client receives the support they need to thrive. Demi also has extensive experience with neuropsychological and personality testing which she incorporates into her work to support accurate diagnoses and guide tailored treatment approaches. Outside of her clinical work, Demi is an avid student of psychology, philosophy, and astronomy. She enjoys traveling, skateboarding, snowboarding, reading, cooking/baking, and spending time with others over board games and movies. Her diverse interests reflect her open-minded, curious, and creative spirit—qualities that inform her warm and collaborative therapeutic style.