Borderline Personality Disorder Support Group

Session 1 :Understanding BPD & Debunking Myths

Purpose : To normalise lived experiences, reduce stigma, and establish a compassionate, non-judgemental understanding of BPD while creating emotional safety within the group.

Core Content
• Understanding BPD through emotional sensitivity, relational pain, and identity struggles
• The Biosocial Model explained in accessible, non-pathologizing language
• Common myths surrounding BPD and their harmful impact on self-image and treatment
• Reframing BPD as an emotional regulation difficulty, not a character flaw
• Establishing group safety: norms, confidentiality, respect, boundaries, and expectations

Experiential
• Reflective writing and sharing:
“What have I been told about myself that I am now unlearning?”

Actionable Takeaway
Begin reframing self-criticism by reminding yourself: “My reactions are learned survival responses, not personal flaws

Session 2 :Understanding DBT & Schema Modes

Purpose : To provide participants with a clear internal map of their emotional world and coping system.

Core Content
• What DBT is and why it is effective for emotional regulation and relationships
• Overview of the four DBT skill modules
• Introduction to Schema Therapy and the role of early emotional experiences
• Understanding schemas and their impact on beliefs, feelings, and behaviour
• Introduction to key Schema Modes:
– Vulnerable Child
– Angry Child
– Detached Protector
– Punitive Parent
– Healthy Adult

Experiential
• Gentle awareness exercise: noticing which modes appear in everyday situations

Actionable Takeaway
Practise a daily check-in by noticing which inner mode is active and what it needs.

Session 3: Maladaptive Coping & Distress Tolerance

Purpose : To understand survival strategies developed in response to emotional pain and to build safer, stabilising alternatives.

Core Content
• What maladaptive coping is and why it develops
• Linking coping patterns with different Schema Modes
• Schema Mode Mapping:
What I feel → Which mode activates → How I cope
• Distress Tolerance skills:
– Self-soothing using the five senses
– STOP skill
– TIPP
– ACCEPTS

Experiential
• Personal trigger mapping and skill application practice

Actionable Takeaway
Use at least one distress-tolerance skill when emotional intensity rises this week.

Session 4 :Unmet Emotional Needs & Emotion Regulation

Purpose: To explore the roots of emotional intensity and strengthen emotional balance.

Core Content
• Core emotional needs: safety, connection, validation, autonomy, care
• How unmet needs amplify emotional distress
• Understanding primary and secondary emotions
• Emotion regulation skills:
– Identifying emotions accurately
– Naming emotional triggers
– Opposite Action
– Building emotional stability through daily practices

Experiential
• Mapping personal emotional needs and current sources of support

Actionable Takeaway
When emotions feel overwhelming, pause and identify the unmet emotional need beneath them

Session 5 :Holding Space for Vulnerability & Self-Conscious Emotions

Purpose : To work gently with shame, guilt, abandonment fears, and emotional exposure.

Core Content
• Understanding vulnerability in emotional and relational contexts
• Shame and guilt as self-conscious, secondary emotions
• The role of the Punitive Parent and Vulnerable Child
• Developing compassionate self-talk through the Healthy Adult
• Learning to remain present with painful emotions rather than escaping or suppressing them

Experiential
• Guided self-compassion and emotional safety practice

Actionable Takeaway
Respond to moments of shame or self-criticism with compassionate, Healthy-Adult self-talk.

Session 6: Interpersonal Effectiveness (Through Case Examples)

Purpose : To strengthen communication, boundaries, and relational confidence.

Core Content
• Understanding relationship needs: objectives, connection, self-respect
• DBT interpersonal effectiveness skills:
– DEAR MAN
– GIVE
– FAST
• Applying skills to real-life relational challenges
• Expressing needs without escalation or withdrawal

Experiential
• Role-play and communication script practice

Actionable Takeaway
Practise one DBT communication skill in a real-life interaction.

Session 7 :Nurturing Relationships & Working Through Defences

Purpose To heal relational patterns and soften emotional defences.
Core Content

• Characteristics of healthy relationships and realistic expectations
• Identifying unhealthy cycles and attachment patterns
• Understanding emotional defences: withdrawal, anger, people-pleasing, splitting
• Working through black-and-white thinking
• Strengthening the Healthy Adult in relationships

Experiential
• Reflective exploration:
“What pattern do I want to change in my relationships?”

Actionable Takeaway
Notice one relationship pattern this week and choose a healthier response.

Session 8 :Self-Soothing, Grounding & Mindfulness Integration
Purpose : To consolidate learning and support emotional continuity after group completion.

Core Content
• Mindfulness tools for emotional regulation
• Body-based grounding techniques
• Building a personalised self-soothing toolkit
• Integrating DBT and Schema skills into daily life
• Group reflection and closure

Experiential
• Closing grounding practice and future-oriented reflection

Actionable Takeaway
Use one grounding or self-soothing practice daily to support emotional stability.