Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health disorder. It’s characterized by instability in a person’s moods and relationships with others. People with BPD may frequently exhibit impulsive or unpredictable behavior. It’s roughly estimated that about 1.6% of the world’s population has BPD, but these estimates may be underrepresented. To make a BPD diagnosis, a licensed mental health professional will typically use the client’s symptoms to make the determination. This can be done online or in person.

The causes of borderline personality disorder aren’t certain, but some experts believe that a person may be more likely to develop this condition if they have family members who also have it. It may also be linked to environmental factors and brain development.

What are the symptoms of borderline personality disorder?

• Impulsivity
• Mood swings
• Unstable relationships
• Fear of abandonment
• Frequent identity shifts
• Intense anger
• Threatening self-harm
• Paranoia
• Feelings of emptiness

How does online therapy work for someone with borderline personality disorder?

During online therapy sessions, your therapist will want to speak with you concerning how you manage your borderline personality disorder or any other conditions you may be dealing with. All you need is a quiet, distraction-free room and a stable internet connection. You can connect with your therapist via computer or your cellphone. Your therapist may ask that you make sure you’re in the room alone to ensure confidentiality. 

Your treatment methods may vary, depending on the clinical model your therapist prefers to use with their clients. Process-based therapy can be a particularly effective treatment approach for clients with BPD. This approach to treating clients involves viewing the person as a whole, and not just their diagnosis.

Why might online therapy be a good option for someone who has borderline personality disorder?

• Convenience and ease of access — Online therapy can be a great option because it eliminates the need for transportation. In-person therapy requires coordinating transportation to appointments. With online therapy, you needn’t worry about how you’ll get to each of your appointments. It’s as simple as moving to a quiet room in your house and opening your computer. Not only does it eliminate the need for transport, but it may also be easier for a client to maintain regular appointments on the days when motivation might be scarce due to their borderline personality disorder. 
• May be less expensive — Sometimes online therapy can be more cost-effective than in-person therapy. Most insurance companies will cover the cost of virtual therapy sessions. 
• Might be more comfortable — Getting online therapy for BPD may be more comfortable for some clients. It can be completed from the comfort of your own home and even from your own bed! It may also be more comfortable for some clients to receive services over a computer or phone as opposed to face-to-face.
• Just as effective — You might be surprised to learn this, but online therapy for borderline personality disorder is just as effective as in person therapy.

Lightfully wants to help people with borderline personality disorder through online therapy

Our mission at Lightfully is to work with individuals to change their life, compassionately. We strive to provide high-quality mental health care to various types of clients through a focused approach to process-based therapy. The framework of our clinic consists of evidence-based, clearly defined, data-driven and whole-person-centered care. Lightfully offers various layers of service to both adults and teens: residential treatment, Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (vIOP), Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), also referred to as our Day Treatment Program. We regularly see clients who actively manage mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders and trauma disorders. If you are someone who wants to receive online therapy treatment for their borderline personality disorder, we’d like to help you. The licensed, clinical therapists at Lightfully are dedicated to helping clients with borderline personality disorder improve their quality of life; we value the complexity of a whole person and don’t just view someone within the confines of their condition.

We value our clients as they are and hope to enrich their lives through treatment. Our vision for the future is an authentic and loving community where everyone can be seen, heard, and valued as they are. We believe in the light within each individual, and when that light is properly nurtured it can allow a person to shine brighter than ever before.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.