Intentional Personality Change
BPD COMPASS
BPD Compass is an evidence-based treatment for borderline personality disorder developed by experts who specialize in studying & treating this condition. Manualized and short-term (delivered across 18 or fewer sessions), BPD Compass was developed to make life easier for people with BPD and their providers. Given that at least 10% of people seeking outpatient therapy have BPD, we sought to create an easy-to-learn (yet effective) intervention that could be delivered in generalist settings (e.g., private practice, community mental health, academic medical centers, college counseling centers). We believe this is the key to increasing access to affordable life-saving care for people with BPD.
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BPD Compass uses cognitive behavioral skills to directly target the personality features that underlie BPD symptoms: (1) the tendency to experience strong emotions, (2) difficulty feeling secure in relationships, & (3) impulsivity. People with BPD can exhibit any combination of these personality, so BPD Compass is modular. In other words, clinicians can personalized the elements (i.e., modules) delivered based on patient presentation. The treatment also includes values exploration to address the identity disturbance common in BPD.
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BPD Compass has been tested in a clinical trial with nearly 100 people with BPD. Results suggest that, on average, patients experience large reductions in BPD symptoms. They also experience decreases in comorbid symptoms (e.g., PTSD) and improvements in quality of life.
What skills are included in Compass?
Values Identification
We begin treatment by helping clients identify their values across 11 life domains. This information is used to address identity disturbance (with our BPD clients) and to serve as a motivator - clients evaluate the degree to which their current actions line up with their valued life directions
Skills for Thinking
Clients apply cognitive flexibility to emotional situations, interpersonal difficulties, and triggers for impulsive action. Core beliefs, dimensions of trust, and identifying the thoughts that underlie urges
Skills for Doing
Classic behavior change skills (alternative actions, exposure) are employed to approach emotions, move toward goals in relationships, and keep one's long-term goals in mind when faced with urges for impulsive actions.
Skills for Being
Mindful awareness (a nonjudgmental, present-focused stance) is applied to emotional experience, interpersonal conflicts, and urge surfing.