This starts with therapy from a psychologist who understand the disorder and who has the skills required to treat this.

BPD can be seen to be a complex personality disorder. However, it is really a bunch of behaviours, repeating themselves over and over to create patterns. A lot of the time, this is outside the individual’s awareness, and often the only way they know how to problem-solve their issues. Isabella understands this and works with the client to gain awareness, create new skills and focus on values and goals which make their life worth living.

How does Isabella do this?

Isabella utilises various evidence based therapies in her treatment approach, tailored to the individual's needs and goals. Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) is a gold standard treatment for BPD, and Isabella has undergone intensive training in this therapy, working with supervisors and teachers under the creator of DBT, Marsha Linehan. In addition to the skills learnt in DBT (including Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, Mindfulness, and Interpersonal Skills), Isabella also utilises other therapies, including, Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) to address issues such as childhood trauma and maladaptive underlying beliefs; and Self-Compassion, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing to address issues such as self-worth and current problematic behaviours.

Relationship with self and others.

Often it is the effect of BPD on relationships that creates the greatest distress for people. BPD is strongly intertwined with low self-esteem. Isabella explores factors such as attachment styles, values, family of origin, childhood and ongoing trauma, validation needs, inner critic, self compassion, people pleasing, abandonment and rejection concerns; with the key focus being to grow self-worth.

With respect to relationships with others, Isabella explores factors such as ineffectual patterns of behaviour, including attracting and being attracted to individuals with insecure attachment styles, unstable relationships and fear of abandonment and rejection. Indeed, all potential issues which may leave individuals feeling helpless and hopeless regarding relationships are addressed, as guided by client readiness.