Borderline Personality Disorder is a condition with major impacts on the health of the client, a significant burden on the client families’ quality of life and high costs to health services.
Psychological therapy is the mainstay of treatment of borderline personality disorder; however, the demand for psychological treatment has resulted in excessive waitlists for a high risk cohort.
This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a stepped care approach, incorporating a briefer, less costly Dialectical Behaviour Therapy program in comparison to individual therapy. The trial will compare stepped individual therapy to stepped group skills training, informed by Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.
The results of the project will provide evidence to inform an effective clinical pathway for Borderline Personality Disorder. Further, the model will be consistent with NHMRC clinical guidelines, which supports psychological therapy as the first line of treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder.