group therapy

[Pollyanna 7]

Hi

My daughter has tried to get help for her BPD and the only help offered on National health service is group therapy at a local mental hospital. She is wary of this and doesn't want to go. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge about group therapy for BPD ? Should I encourage her to try it?

Thanks for all the support and encouragement given from other parents. I no longer feel so alone just reading your posts really helps xx

Our objective is to better understand the struggles our child faces and to learn the skills to improve our relationship and provide a supportive environment and also improve on our own emotional responses, attitudes and effectiveness as a family leaders

[StubbornScot]

Hi Pollyanna7!

I can't speak for the NHS situation, but I can tell you that was going to be a similar suggestion for our daughter, if she weren't currently hospitalized. They were suggesting group therapy, found a group that does DBT with Equine therapy as well. I know that doesn't help you much, but I didn't want you to feel alone!

Slainte!

[Pollyanna 7]

Thanks for replying, I will try and get her to find out what sort of therapy the group had to offer ,equine therapy is an interesting idea, she used to be horse mad, maybe getting back into riding/horses would be good for her, food for thought.     

[Elbry]

My daughter does group therapy.  (or was before her recent hospitalization) DBT group therapy which is highly recommended for BPD.

[lever.]

Hello Pollyanna-I am also from the UK.

NHS provision is very patchy-great i some places not so much in others.

DBT based group therapy is excellent and is the main evidence-based treatment which research has proven to help.

I know that in Oxford and N Wales there is good DBT provision.

Some group therapy is much less helpful.

I would ask questions and try to find out exactly what is being offered.

With DBT she should also be offered regular one-to-one meetings to discuss how she is applying the skills that she will be learning in the group.

Equine therapy is not often offered by NHS but availability is growing.

I would try to tell her not to be put off by the setting etc but to really find out what the programme for this group work is. Also who will be participating-how will the participants be selected-will they all have similar needs.

If this is DBT it is a great opportunity for her -but if it is lead by unskilled leaders and there is no clear plan it could do more harm than good.

[HealingSpirit]

Hello Pollyanna7,

I'm sorry your DD has been diagnosed with BPD, but it is great news that SHE is seeking treatment.  The fact that she knows she has a problem is more than half the battle. The others here have already told you the evidence-based treatment for BPD is DBT, so I do hope you can help your DD find this type of group setting.

There are peer support groups online for BPD sufferers, but unless those forums are heavily moderated, I shudder to think of the damage they might cause. I'll ask the moderators here if they can recommend any online support for your DD. It might be helpful if there is a site as well-run as this one.

Please let us know how your DD is doing. 

[Rapt Reader]

Here are the links that HealingSpirit mentioned:

Resources for BPD Sufferers

Article 11: Free On-Line Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program (CBT).