Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) Treatment
At Front Range Treatment Center
At FRTC, we are BPD specialists.
This complex mental health condition demands specialized treatment. We didn’t always have effective treatment for BPD, but now we do: Dialectical Behavior Therapy. DBT was created to treat BPD, and it has been shown by research to be highly effective for it. Learn more about our approach to treating BPD, and how we can help you reach your goals.
Front Range Treatment Center is a DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Program.™
What is BPD?
Borderline personality disorder is a mental health condition that can make it difficult to control your emotions.
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex mental health condition characterized by challenges in regulating emotions, maintaining stable relationships, and managing a consistent sense of self. If you or a loved one has BPD, you may experience intense emotional ups and downs, feelings of emptiness, and difficulty controlling impulsive behaviors—all of which can profoundly impact daily life.
BPD affects approximately 1.4% of adults in the U.S., according to the National Institute of Mental Health, and many more may go undiagnosed. If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or someone you care about, seeking help is a powerful first step. Our team at Front Range Treatment Center is here to provide compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to your needs.
Understanding the Core Symptoms of BPD
BPD affects how individuals think, feel, and interact with the world. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), BPD is diagnosed when at least five of the following symptoms are present:
Intense Fear of Abandonment: Feeling panicked or desperate at the thought of being left by loved ones, often leading to clinginess or efforts to avoid real or perceived rejection.
Unstable Relationships: Experiencing relationships that swing between extremes of idealization (intense closeness) and devaluation (anger or disconnection), making it hard to maintain long-term stability.
Unclear or Shifting Sense of Self: Struggling with a consistent sense of identity, which might show up as frequent changes in goals, values, or career aspirations.
Impulsive Behaviors: Engaging in risky or self-damaging actions, such as reckless spending, substance misuse, unsafe sexual behavior, or binge eating.
Emotional Instability: Experiencing rapid and intense mood swings, where feelings like anger, sadness, or anxiety can shift dramatically within hours or days.
Chronic Feelings of Emptiness: A persistent sense of inner void or disconnection, often described as feeling "hollow" or unfulfilled.
Explosive Anger: Difficulty controlling anger, which might lead to frequent arguments, outbursts, or even physical altercations, followed by guilt or shame.
Self-Harm or Suicidal Thoughts: Engaging in self-injurious behaviors (e.g., cutting) or experiencing recurrent thoughts of suicide as a way to cope with emotional pain.
Paranoia or Dissociation: In times of stress, experiencing paranoia (e.g., feeling others are against you) or dissociation (e.g., feeling detached from reality or your body).
What Causes BPD?
BPD is a complex mental health issue, that results from the combination of facots.
Biological Factors: Differences in brain structure and function, particularly in areas that regulate emotions and impulse control, may play a role. Genetics also contribute, with BPD being more common among those with a family history of the disorder.
Environmental Factors: Traumatic experiences, such as childhood abuse, neglect, or unstable family dynamics, are often linked to BPD. Growing up in an environment where emotional needs were unmet can also contribute, and hinder the development of healthy emotional regulation skills.
The Impact of BPD on Daily Life
Living with BPD can feel overwhelming. The emotional intensity and unpredictability often lead to challenges in relationships, work, and self-esteem. For example, someone with BPD might struggle to maintain steady employment due to mood swings or impulsivity, or they might feel isolated after pushing loved ones away during moments of distress. However, with the right support, individuals with BPD can lead fulfilling, balanced lives.
How DBT Can Help with BPD
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was specifically developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan to treat BPD and has since become the gold standard for managing its symptoms. DBT focuses on teaching practical skills to regulate emotions, tolerate distress, improve relationships, and build a life worth living. At Front Range Treatment Cernter, our DBT program offers comprehensive support through individual therapy, group skills training, and phone coaching access to your DBT therapist, empowering you to navigate BPD with confidence.
What is Comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
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Skills Group
This is a required component of DBT training. In skills group, you will learn countless skills to help you better manage your distress, control your emotions, and get along with others better. We offer these classes both in-person and online, including individual and group sessions.
They're not support groups, and are different from most forms of group therapy. You don't sit around in a circle and divulge your darkest secrets (though you will have the chance to ask questions about how the skills apply to your life, if you want to). Instead, you'll learn, discuss, and ask questions. The focus is on learning and mastering DBT skills.
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Individual Therapy
In these therapy session with your DBT provider, you’ll discuss how to best apply what you’re learning in group to your life. These therapy sessions might focus on identifying goals, including behaviors you want to see less (or more) of. You will track those behaviors and your emotional ups and downs with an app, that your therapist can review before your sessions.
Over time, you and your DBT therapist should get really good at identifying problems and applying solutions. Individual therapy usually involves weekly one-to-one sessions with a your DBT therapist.
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Phone Coaching
Sometimes clients get really good at using DBT skills, and knowing which to use to address their problems… when talking with their therapist. It can take longer to become skilled the use of skills in-between sessions.
To help with generalizing skills, clients have access to their therapist via phone call or text. These calls usually go like this: “Hi [awesome DBT therapist]. This situation is… I’ve tried these skills already… Do you have any other suggestions for me?” “Why yes, yes I do. Why don’t you try [this awesome skill we discussed last week that really worked].”
