McLean’s Borderline Personality Disorder Outpatient Program at Gunderson

Our treatment approach

At the Borderline Personality Disorder Outpatient Program, we use a range of evidence-based treatment and therapy models that can be customized to the needs of the individual based on the type and severity of specific symptoms.

Evaluation

Patients receive a detailed initial evaluation that helps clinicians customize a treatment plan that incorporates the best therapies and strategies to address symptoms, identify challenges, and set goals.

Skill building and group therapy

Our specialized, outpatient care has an emphasis on skill building, while working toward patient self-reliance and establishing occupational, academic, and social opportunities in the community.

Group therapy covers a broad range of topics including mindfulness, symptom education, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and family issues.

We also encourage patients to become involved with the larger community through part-time work, volunteer opportunities, and classes at local colleges and universities.

Treatment models that we use

• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) emphasizes the development of four skill sets: mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance. DBT has proven to be one of the most effective ways of treating borderline personality disorder.
• Dialectical behavior therapy for PTSD (DBT-PTSD) integrates DBT principles with trauma-focused cognitive techniques and exposure interventions for childhood trauma, fostering self-acceptance and compassion.
• Radically open DBT (RO-DBT) targets disorders characterized by excessive self-control by promoting flexibility, openness, and social connectedness in individuals who struggle with perfectionism and overly controlled, rigid, or inhibited behavior.
• Mentalization-based treatment (MBT) is a therapy model that focuses on helping people to differentiate and separate their own thoughts and feelings from those around them.
• General psychiatric management (GPM), which includes education for patients and their families and case management, was developed by McLean’s own John G. Gunderson, MD, a pioneer in BPD research and care.
• Transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) is a rigorously structured psychodynamic therapeutic approach rooted in object relations theory. It is a nuanced and empirically validated intervention tailored to address disturbances in self-identity, interpersonal relationships, and affect regulation characteristic of individuals diagnosed with BPD.

Family involvement in patient care

Family and friends are valuable tools in a patient’s recovery and long-term success, providing reinforcement for positive change and helping to meet treatment goals.

Support and education for patients, families, and friends is also integral to treatment success. We offer group therapy and educational workshops for families and friends targeted for the specific needs of supporting a loved one with BPD.

Family is involved in weekly family therapy sessions and participates in weekly parent groups, which provide education, support, and skill building.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the program located?

The Borderline Personality Disorder Outpatient Program offers care online and in person. In-person appointments take place at McLean’s Belmont campus in the Adult Outpatient Services located in the Service Building.

View more information on McLean Hospital.

Who benefits most from the program?

Although our outpatient program is geared for treatment of borderline personality disorder, we also serve individuals with mixed personality disorders, depression, and those experiencing symptoms related to personality disorders.

Is family involved in treatment?

Family involvement, with the permission of the patient, is highly encouraged and can have a profound impact on treatment and recovery.

Families are an integral part of our outpatient care, and we advise family inclusion as an essential part of treatment. We start with educational meetings to orient the family members, and then move to addressing specific relationship issues.

Is smoking permitted?

Patients are permitted to smoke in designated outdoor areas only. No smoking is allowed inside any of our buildings. Active smokers are encouraged to quit smoking and may choose to incorporate this into treatment as a component of recovery.

Are cell phones and other electronics allowed?

Cell phone use is strongly discouraged during treatment and in the waiting room to prevent disruption of the program and others.

Is the individual’s time at the program kept private?

Privacy is of the utmost importance at McLean, and we ensure confidentiality through our highly trained, professional, and discreet staff.

No third party, whether known to the patient or not, has access to medical records, health information, or any information about a patient’s care without prior written authorization from the individual.

Are support and educational resources available?

From helpful online resources to self-help groups and more, McLean Hospital is committed to providing support and mental health education to aid patients and families on the path to recovery.

Are support groups offered?

To complement our program’s services and encourage individuals’ initiatives in their own treatment course, many self-help groups are hosted by McLean.

Is aftercare planning a part of the program?

The treatment team works closely with the individual as well as with family, significant friends, and outside providers to develop a personalized aftercare plan. Recommendations by staff are made based upon clinical needs, progress made during treatment, and long-term treatment goals.

Can former patients access their medical records?

All requests for medical records should be directed to McLean’s Health Information Management Department.

Does Mass General Brigham gather patient feedback?

Mass General Brigham is dedicated to maintaining high-quality and effective patient care. To ensure that those standards remain at the highest level, we utilize a number of feedback instruments and quality indicators.