The Science of Healing: How Gladstone’s DBT Program Drives Effective Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment
Living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) presents unique challenges for individuals and their loved ones. At Gladstone Psychiatry and Wellness, we understand these challenges intimately and have developed a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to borderline personality disorder treatment through our certified Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program.
Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder is characterized by intense emotional dysregulation, unstable relationships, distorted self-image, and impulsive behaviors. Individuals with BPD often experience overwhelming emotions that can lead to self-destructive actions, frequent crises, and significant distress.
Traditional therapy approaches sometimes fall short in addressing these complex symptoms. This is precisely why DBT was developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan specifically for treating BPD—and why Gladstone has invested in building the first DBT-Linehan Board Certified (DBT-LBC) program in Maryland.
The Science Behind DBT for Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment
DBT works through a unique combination of acceptance and change strategies that address the core challenges of BPD. Our comprehensive program follows the evidence-based model that has been validated through numerous randomized controlled trials—the gold standard in medical research.
The scientific foundation of our approach includes:
- Targeting emotional dysregulation – Research shows that individuals with BPD struggle with regulating emotions. Our DBT program directly addresses this through skills that create awareness of emotions and provide concrete techniques to manage them effectively.
- Building distress tolerance – Rather than avoiding difficult emotions (which often leads to crisis), DBT teaches clients how to tolerate distress in healthy ways.
- Improving interpersonal effectiveness – Many BPD symptoms manifest in relationship difficulties. DBT provides clear strategies for maintaining healthy boundaries and communicating needs effectively.
- Enhancing mindfulness – Learning to be present in the moment reduces impulsivity and creates space between emotions and actions—a critical skill for BPD treatment.
The Comprehensive Approach That Makes Our Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment Effective
What separates effective borderline personality disorder treatment from incomplete approaches is comprehensiveness. At Gladstone, our DBT program includes all four components proven necessary for optimal outcomes:
- Weekly individual therapy – One-on-one sessions with a specialized DBT therapist who helps clients apply skills to their specific challenges.
- Skills training groups – Weekly two-hour sessions where clients learn concrete DBT skills in a supportive environment.
- Phone coaching – Between-session support to apply skills during real-life challenges when they’re most needed.
- Therapist consultation team – Our therapists meet regularly to ensure they’re providing the highest quality care and staying true to the DBT model.
For adolescent clients, our program also includes a heavy dose of family involvement. At least one parent attends the skills training group with their teen. This helps parents to reinforce what their child is learning, and to regulate their own emotions during interactions with their child. We also offer parent coaching sessions and family therapy sessions as needed to bolster those skills.
This comprehensive approach is why our clients see remarkable results. Our data shows a 98% reduction in psychiatric hospitalizations and significant improvements in emotional regulation as measured by standardized assessments.
The Gladstone Difference in Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment
As the first DBT-LBC certified program in Maryland, our commitment to excellence in borderline personality disorder treatment goes beyond the basics:
- Full fidelity to the research-proven model – We don’t cut corners or offer “DBT-informed” therapy. Our program delivers the complete treatment package that research has proven effective.
- Specialized training – Our therapists undergo rigorous training and ongoing education in DBT techniques specifically for borderline personality disorder treatment.
- Measurable outcomes – We track progress using validated assessment tools, allowing us to demonstrate real improvement in our clients’ lives.
- Flexible delivery options – We offer both virtual and in-person options for individual sessions at our multiple locations throughout Maryland, making effective treatment more accessible.
- Treating clients from adolescence to adulthood: Our program is available to individuals ages 14-64.
Real Results from Our Certified DBT Program
The proof of any treatment approach lies in its outcomes. Our data shows that clients who complete our year-long DBT program experience:
- A dramatic 98% reduction in psychiatric hospitalizations
- Substantial improvement in emotional regulation (average 25-point reduction on the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale)
- Movement from scores associated with severe symptoms to scores reflecting mild symptoms manageable in community settings
These aren’t just statistics—they represent real lives transformed through effective borderline personality disorder treatment.
Beginning Your Healing Journey
If you or a loved one is struggling with BPD, know that effective treatment is available. Our DBT program accepts clients with various insurance options, including most local Maryland CareFirst/BCBS plans, and we offer both self-pay options and possible coverage through other insurance providers with an additional program fee.
The journey begins with a simple application process followed by a consultation with one of our specialized therapists. During the approximately four-week pretreatment phase, you’ll learn more about DBT and prepare for the skills group that best fits your needs.
Borderline personality disorder treatment through DBT requires commitment—typically one year for adults—but the research and our outcomes show that this investment leads to meaningful, lasting change.
Contact our DBT team at [email protected] to begin your path toward healing and emotional well-being through our science-based, comprehensive approach to borderline personality disorder treatment.