This is a question a lot of people have asked us and something that needs to be addressed. Yes, talk-based therapies do work even on people with BPD, but that is not the whole answer to this question and there are many different factors we need to take into account here. If you are thinking of paying privately for a talk based therapy you might want to read this first…
It is All About The Individual
While it is far too easy to blame the patient when it comes to the failure of a talk-based therapy a lot of is does have to rest on the patient’s shoulders. By throwing yourself into the therapy and doing your best to understand what is being taught to you, it will give you the best chance of success. It’s not good going to each session then “switching off” once you get home. You need to put all that you have learned and been taught into practice. If you are dismissive of it at the start there is no point continuing that sort of therapy.
The Right Teacher
The 2nd most important factor in the success of therapy has to be about the ability of the therapist themselves. Are they qualified to help you, are they doing it in a way you can easily understand and follow? And more importantly, do you ‘like’ your therapist? If you don’t jell with your therapist in the first few sessions there is no point in carrying on with the program. You need to be able to trust them, listen to them and more importantly respect them. Without those things, you won’t feel able to commit to the therapy being taught to you.
The Type of Talk Therapy
There isn’t just one type of talk-based therapy, there are lots of them. From Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Interpersonal therapy (IPT), Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and that is to name just a few of them! Just because you found yourself unable to get into one of these doesn’t mean a different one will have the same ending. When you are paying privately you should have access to most of these therapies, so do try a few different ones if others have failed you.
The best advice I can give you when it comes to choosing a talk-based therapy is to never give up hope of finding the right type for you and the right therapist to deliver that treatment. Never feel bad because you don’t understand it or a course of treatment has failed you. Those of us with BPD don’t have a good success rate with talk-based therapies so you are not alone. Just never give up hope of one day being able to live with your BPD because so many people manage to do just that on a daily basis.
If you have any questions relating to BPD please do drop a comment below and help us all share the knowledge with others. If you have any other questions relating to BPD or would just like some advice on the disorder do get in touch with us via the contact us page. It’s easy to do, we are both responsive and confidential, plus we never save any of your details in any way.
