BPD Treatment: CBT Therapy

When it comes to BPD treatment Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the most common form of psycho-social intervention you will be given. This treatment gets its name because it is a combination of the basic principles of behavioural and cognitive psychology. But it is not a new treatment at all, in fact, it was first developed in the 1960s by American psychologist John B. Watson and it was based on his observations of animal behaviour, child-rearing, and advertising! So let us get into what it entails and how effective it really is for those of us with BPD…

What is Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

While it might have a scary name Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a common type of talk therapy in which you work with a mental health professional by attending a set number of therapy sessions. The main idea is CBT is that it will help you become aware of your own inaccurate or Cognitive Distortions & Emotional Instability and these change your way of thinking.

Does Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) Work?

While many people with BPD will benefit from CBT it is not something that works every time. In fact, worldwide studies have shown it to be only 41% useful for those us with BPD based on that treatment alone (which it really shouldn’t be). I personally found it very therapeutic and while I can’t really say it cured me it laid the groundwork for my own recovery and that is important. Sure, it doesn’t work all the time, but it is definitely worth trying.

How Can I Get Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) Here in the UK?

The good news is you can indeed get CBT sessions for free here in the UK which each session lasting between 30 to 60 minutes. But you are given a set amount and only a set amount which is often not enough courses (hence the low success rate) How do you get these free sessions? Here is the bad part. If you live in England you can use the NHS psychological therapies service (IAPT), but in Wales and Scotland, you need to speak to your Community Mental Health Team (C.M.H.T.). Sadly based on personal experience, you will have to fight for this as it is not forthcoming in any way.

If you can afford it paying private is the best way go here with each session costing between £40 and £1500, as a general rule the more you pay the better trained the therapist or psychologist will be. Speaking from personal experience my sessions with my therapist cost £40 per session and after 50+ sessions I was feeling strong enough to go it alone. While it wasn’t the end of my own personal mental health journey it sure helped a lot.

As with any of these BPD treatments before you might need to try a combination of them before you find that winning combination, but do stick with it. If you want any help or advice relating to BPD do drop me an email via the contact us page and one of our writers will answer it ASAP.