Exploring Effective Group Therapies for BPD: Schema Therapy Meets Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Group Schema Therapy and Group Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) were both developed in the mid-1980s as treatments for borderline personality disorder (BPD). Both approaches have shown clinical effectiveness in randomized controlled trials. This presentation will objectively examine and compare the two models, offering suggestions regarding appropriate client referral for each approach. Attendees will receive information on the primary interventions, group process applications, and strategies for emotional regulation within these models. Both therapies are commonly employed in the treatment of BPD. The distinctions in the structural models, use of traditional group therapeutic factors (Yalom), therapist roles, and proposed mechanisms of change will be described with supporting case examples. The different techniques these models use for emotional regulation and schema change for BPD clients, as well as the use of individual sessions, will also be outlined. Both presenters have extensive experience working with individuals diagnosed with BPD in group settings. Dr. Farrell is a creator of Group Schema Therapy and has specialized in group and individual BPD treatment for three decades. Ms. Kim has training and experience in both GST and DBT.
1. Attendees will be able to assess which patients with BPD should be referred to ST or DBT.
2. Attendees will be able to explain the similarities and differences between these two treatment models for BPD.
Speakers
Joan FarrellClick for moreDr. Joan Farrell, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and trainer, widely recognized for her pioneering contributions to Group Schema Therapy (GST). She co-developed the GST model alongside Ida Shaw, and their collaborative work has significantly expanded the accessibility and effectiveness of Schema Therapy, especially for complex and treatment-resistant conditions.
Joan served as Research Director for the Center for Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment and Research at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis and as a clinical professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine for 25 years. She has led or contributed to numerous randomized controlled trials supporting the efficacy of Schema Therapy. Her research has helped establish Schema Therapy as an evidence-based treatment for borderline personality disorder and other complex mental health conditions.
A founding member and certified supervisor/trainer in individual and group ST with the International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST), Joan has played a crucial role in global training initiatives, particularly in training therapists to deliver Schema Therapy in group formats. She is co-director of the Schema Therapy Institute – Cleveland and served as Training & Certification Coordinator on the ISST Executive Board 2012-2018. She has written four books on ST: Group Schema Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder: A Step-by-Step Treatment Manual, The Schema Therapy Clinician’s Guide, Experiencing ST from the Inside Out: A Self-Practice-Self-Reflection Workbook for Therapists, and The Deliberate Practice of Schema Therapy, which are widely used in clinical settings and training programs.
Ji Young KimClick for moreJi Young Kim, MA., LPC-S is an Advanced Certified Schema Therapist and Supervisor, Certified Advanced Level Schema Therapist in Group Schema Therapy, ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider, and specializes in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Grounded in Schema Therapy, her approach is enriched by extensive DBT experience and a strong clinical background. She integrates evidence-based methods to treat personality disorders, ADHD, couples, groups, and trauma recovery, helping clients build resilience, strengthen their Healthy Adult mode, and create lasting growth.
