Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) can affect relationships, emotional stability, and overall quality of life. However, it is fortunately one of the most researched and treatable personality disorders.
I use several contemporary, evidence-based psychodynamic approaches to treat borderline personality disorder. These include Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP), Psychodynamically-Oriented Supportive Psychotherapy (POST), and Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) along with elements of Supportive-Expressive Therapy (SET) where appropriate. Treatment is tailored to the specific patterns, history, and goals of each individual.
About Dr. Sharpless
I am a licensed clinical psychologist and author with over 20 years of experience assessing and treating personality disorders (including BPD). I received my Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Pennsylvania State University and completed post-doctoral clinical and research fellowships at the University of Pennsylvania. I also completed a clinical fellowship at the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia.
Along with my clinical practice, I publish books and articles on psychodynamic therapy and psychopathology (i.e., the study of mental disorders) and provide ongoing supervision and consultation to other therapists treating complex cases.
Who This Treatment Helps
Individuals who experience:
- Intense or rapidly shifting emotions
- Fear of abandonment
- Unstable relationships
- Impulsivity or difficulty controlling behavior
- A pattern of unstable self-image or identity
- Chronic feelings of emptiness
What to Expect
The most important step of treatment is to determine if you are actually suffering from borderline personality disorder. BPD is frequently misdiagnosed for other disorders conditions (and vice versa). Following the initial assessment, therapy will commence. Many people find that a combination of evidence-based treatments and a strong therapeutic relationship leads to real, lasting change, even if previous treatment attempts have been unsuccessful. Therapy sessions are available via secure telehealth across many states (check the status of your home state here), with limited in-person availability in Frederick, MD.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is borderline personality disorder treatable? Yes. BPD is one of the more researched personality disorders, and structured, evidence-based treatments have been shown to meaningfully reduce symptoms and improve functioning over time.
Do you diagnose BPD as part of treatment? Yes, if a formal diagnostic evaluation would be helpful (e.g., you are already working with another provider), I offer dedicated BPD assessment services.
How frequent are the sessions? The standard of care for most BPD treatments is two 50-minute sessions per week.
How long does treatment typically take? This varies by individual. It is generally a mid to long-term treatment (i.e., 6 months to two years or longer), but the duration of treatment depends upon severity, personal motivation, and specific goals.
Do you use Dialectical Behavior Therapy? No, I am primarily influenced by the treatments described above.
Contact Dr. Sharpless
If you are interested in an evaluation and/or treatment, please contact me here or click the Contact button at the top or bottom of this page.