Loved Ones & Borderline Personality Disorder: An 8-week group for those loving and/or living with persons with BPD

The Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Centre of Vancouver offers an 8-week program designed for partners, family, and friends of those with borderline personality disorder (BPD), or with related problems (e.g., self-injury). BPD is a serious mental health problem believed to affect approximately 1.6 percent of the population. Persons with BPD suffer intense emotional turmoil, often have difficulties with relationships, and are at risk for suicidal and self-harming behaviour.

Although there is considerable hope for persons with BPD, and effective treatments exist, loved ones often struggle in finding the best way to support their affected family member(s) or friend(s) with BPD. This 8-week course is designed to provide partners, family, and friends with tools for better understanding and assisting loved ones, as well as teach participants some of the practical skills commonly covered in the DBT groups to effectively manage emotions, communicate to others, and tolerate overwhelming distress.

More specifically, this course will cover the following topics:

  • What is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
  • Why do people have BPD
  • Some harmful myths and misconceptions about BPD
  • Hope for BPD: Treatments that work
  • Introduction to Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
  • DBT skills in action:
    • How to use validation to reduce conflict and calm emotional storms
    • How to understand behaviour and set reasonable limits
    • How to use skills to understand and manage intense emotions
    • How to tolerate and manage crises and better accept yourself, your emotions, and your loved one
    • How to use interpersonal effectiveness skills to improve communication with your loved one
Objectives

This group is designed for partners, family members, loved ones, and friends of persons with borderline personality disorder (BPD). The focus will be on the types of DBT skills that we teach our clients at the DBT Centre and how to apply them to your daily lives as well as your interactions with your loved one(s). Some of the main objectives of this group are to:

  • Increase participants’ knowledge of BPD and effective treatment.
  • Increase participants’ familiarity with effective, practical DBT skills.
  • Help participants learn how to incorporate these skills into their own daily lives.
  • Discuss ways to apply effective skills and strategies with loved ones who struggle with BPD and related problems.
Group Format and What to Expect

Each group session, occurring for 2 hours, will be structured and will consist of the following:

(1) a brief practice in mindfulness,

(2) discussion of “homework” assignments to use and practice skills learned in group,

(3) discussion of questions or topics as they arise, and

(4) teaching, discussion, and practice of new skills and strategies.

Although we have a schedule of topics for each week, at times, the topics discussed will flow according to the group needs and interests.

Please keep in mind that this group will have a strong focus on care for the caregiver. Although we will certainly discuss how to apply various skills and strategies in the context of your relationship with your loved ones, do not lose sight of the importance of your taking care of yourself, using the skills to enhance your daily life and reduce stress, and to improve your other relationships. Remember that you have to put your own oxygen mask on before assisting others.

Download syllabus.

Program details  

Time: Thursdays from 5pm – 7pm

Date: TBD (email info@dbtvancouver.com letting us know of your interest)

Group Leader: Ms. Trisha Livingston, MC., RCC 

Method: Zoom 

Fees: one participant is $790, for two participants the cost is $1,340 (15% discount). Fees may be reimbursable through your extended benefits provider. Please contact your insurance company prior to registering as we can connect guarantee reimbursement.

Participants will be provided with all needed materials, including a binder with handouts covering the DBT skills and a copy of The Borderline Personality Disorder Survival Guide by Dr. Alex Chapman.

Please note, this class is focused on psycho-education; as such, it is not considered therapy or consultation services. Please refer to your extended benefits provider prior to registration to see if the fee is subject to reimbursement.