Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental health condition that affects an estimated 1.6% of adults in the United States. People with BPD often have difficulty regulating emotions, coping with stress, and forming healthy relationships. Due to the complexity of this disorder, many therapists are uncomfortable or hesitant to work with clients who have BPD.
Reasons Therapists Avoid BPD
Therapists may avoid working with people who have BPD for a variety of reasons. One of the primary reasons is the complexity of the disorder and the long-term, intensive treatment approach that is often needed to help clients learn how to manage their symptoms.
When working with someone with BPD, therapists may feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to best help the client. This can lead to feelings of frustration and burnout. Additionally, the intensity of the client's emotions can be draining and difficult to manage.
Therapists may also be concerned about their own safety. People with BPD can become very unstable and impulsive, engaging in risky behavior or self-harm. This can be frightening and intimidating for therapists, who may feel unprepared to handle these situations.
Therapists’ Fear of Being Labeled “Unable to Help”
Another reason why therapists may avoid working with people with BPD is because of the fear of being labeled as “unable to help” the client. People with BPD often have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships and this can lead to a high rate of therapist turnover. This can be damaging to the client’s self-esteem as well as the therapist’s reputation.
Tips for Therapists Working with BPD Clients
Working with people with BPD can be challenging and overwhelming, but there are some strategies that can help. First and foremost, therapists should be aware of their own limits and boundaries and be willing to refer clients to other professionals when needed.
It is also important for therapists to focus on building a strong therapeutic alliance with the client. This can help to build trust and create a safe space for the client to express their emotions.
Finally, therapists should be aware of the warning signs of BPD and be prepared to intervene if they recognize these signs in their client.
Overall, therapists should be mindful of their own feelings and limits when working with clients with BPD. If they feel overwhelmed or unprepared to handle the situation, they should seek out additional training or refer the client to another professional who is better suited to help.
