Cognitive Behavioral Therapies for BPD

Cognitive Behavioral Therapies for BPD BPD Treatment Print Treating BPD With Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Traditional CBT and Two Unique Types By Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and associate professor of psychology at Eastern Connecticut State University. Learn about our editorial policy Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 05, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on November 23, 2019 Slobo / Getty Images More in BPD Treatment Diagnosis Living With BPD Related Conditions Cognitive-behavioral treatments are the cornerstone of therapy for people with borderline personality disorder. Lets learn about cognitive-behavioral therapy, including two unique types that are used to help those specifically with BPD adopt healthy coping skills and achieve a good quality of life. What Is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy? Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that targets the “cognitive” (thinking-related) and “behavioral” (action-related) aspects of a mental health condition. The goal of CBT is to help you to reduce your symptoms by changing the way you think about or interpret situations, as well as the actions that you take in your daily life. What to Expect From Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy CBT is very focused on the present, meaning that you do very little talking about your past. While you may talk to your therapist about how you came to think or behave the way you do, most of the therapy is focused on how your current ways of thinking/acting are related to your symptoms, and how to change these patterns. CBT is also fairly directive, meaning that your therapist will often take an active role in your therapy session, giving you direct advice and guidance. Because cognitive behavioral therapists operate under the assumption that your symptoms are in part related to patterns of thinking and behaving that you have learned over the course of many years, they believe that one or two hours of therapy each week will not produce any major change. For this reason, most CBT therapists assign homework â€" they want you to work to change the patterns outside of the therapy session. So don’t be surprised if you leave your CBT therapy session with handouts to read and homework sheets to complete. CBT for BPD While the basic principles of CBT can be helpful for people with borderline personality disorder (BPD), some experts have noted that the disorder requires specialized CBT techniques. Two unique cognitive-behavioral therapies that have been designed specifically for BPD are: Dialectical Behavior TherapySchema-Focused Therapy Both dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and schema-focused therapy have been shown to be effective in reducing BPD symptoms. DBT consists of both individual and group therapy sessions, as well as phone coaching sessions, where a person with BPD focuses on behavioral skills like: Achieving mindfulness â€" paying attention to the present or living in the momentRegulating emotionsTolerating distress or conflictNavigating relationships with other peopleAchieving motivation to avoid unhealthy coping skills, like self-harm Schema-focused therapy is based on the idea that personality disorders like BPD develop as a result of maladaptive thoughts or behaviors early on in life. People then develop unhealthy coping skills, like avoidance, to avoid triggering those thoughts or behaviors. Schema-focused therapy is not like traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy in that its more flexible and attune to a persons emotions. It also requires a longer treatment period, ranging from one to four years. Finding a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist While CBT has been around for decades, it can be difficult to find a therapist who has been trained in this approach. If you are interested in finding a CBT therapist in your area, try the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy’s Find-a-Therapist Directory. If you are interested in finding a Dialectical Behavior therapist, try the Behavioral Tech Clinical Resources Directory. Its also a good idea to speak with your primary doctor or psychiatrist for a referral to ensure this is the right treatment plan for you.