Blaise Aguirre MD - Coping with BPD : DBT and CBT skills to soothe the symptoms of borderline personality disorder

Blaise Aguirre, MD, is assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and an expert in child, adolescent, and adult psychotherapy, including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and medication evaluation and management. He is founding medical director of McLean 3Easta unique residential DBT program for young women exhibiting self-endangering behaviors and borderline personality disorder (BPD) traits. Dr. Aguirre has been a staff psychiatrist at McLean since 2000, and is internationally recognized for his extensive work in the treatment of mood and personality disorders in adolescents. He lectures regularly in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East on DBT and BPD. Dr. Aguirre is author of Borderline Personality Disorder in Adolescents and Depression (Biographies of Disease), and coauthor of Mindfulness for Borderline Personality Disorder and Helping Your Troubled Teen.

Gillian Galen, PsyD, is instructor of psychology at Harvard Medical School. She is program director and assistant director of training for the 3East Intensive Residential Program at the Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospitala unique residential dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) program for young women exhibiting self-endangering behaviors and borderline personality disorder (BPD) traits. She specializes in adolescent psychotherapy, including DBT. She has a particular interest in using mindfulness and yoga in the treatment of BPD and other psychiatric illnesses. Galen has been a registered yoga instructor since 2008. She is coauthor of Mindfulness for Borderline Personality Disorder.

Foreword author Alec Miller, PsyD, is cofounder of Cognitive and Behavioral Consultants of Westchester, LLP, in White Plains, NY. He is professor of clinical psychiatry and behavioral sciences, chief of child and adolescent psychology, director of the Adolescent Depression and Suicide Program, and director of clinical services at PS 8 School-Based Mental Health Program. Miller has become internationally known in the areas of adolescent depression and suicidology, non-suicidal self-injury, borderline personality disorder (BPD), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). He has authored numerous articles and book chapters, and is coauthor of Dialectical Behavior Therapy with Suicidal Adolescents and Childhood Maltreatment.

Aguirre and Galen have raised the bar for self-help resources in the borderline personality disorder (BPD) community. Their wisdom and compassion shine through the lines of this text, creatively identifying common problems and effective solutions. For the person in recovery, they offer tools for problem solving to promote stability; and for therapists, and especially for professionals in training, they provide an opportunity to understand the individual experience of living with BPDan accomplishment that renders this book a space in everyones library.

Perry D. Hoffman, PhD, president and cofounder of National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder

Blaise Aguirre and Gillian Galen have written a compassionate, sensitive, and practical book to help individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) successfully navigate everyday life challenges. Im exceptionally proud to recommend this important book to my clients as well as their family members and friends.

Amanda L. Smith, LMSW, dialectical behavior therapist and treatment consultant, and author of The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Wellness Planner

Aguirre and Galen have written a thoughtful and practical guide for people suffering with borderline personality disorder (BPD). This book will be an important resource for clients as well as professionals and family members.

Michael Hollander, PhD, director of training at McLean 3East, assistant professor of psychology in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and author of Helping Teens Who Cut

There are few books designed to help the individual suffering from borderline personality disorder (BPD) to use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) tools to help get them through difficult situations. A supplement to traditional coaching and therapy, this book accomplishes that with simplicity and clarity. Aguirre and Galen have written a practical guide that will serve as a road map to help clients improve their lives, and at the same time help therapists working with some of the most challenging clients.

Michael Roy, LCSW, founder and executive director of Clearview Womens Center, a treatment center specializing in borderline personality and emotional disorders

Publishers Note

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering psychological, financial, legal, or other professional services. If expert assistance or counseling is needed, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books

Copyright 2015 by Blaise Aguirre and Gillian Galen New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 5674 Shattuck Avenue Oakland, CA 94609 www.newharbinger.com

Cover design by Amy Shoup

Acquired by Jess OBrien

Edited by Marisa Sols

All Rights Reserved

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Aguirre, Blaise A.

Coping with BPD : DBT and CBT skills to soothe the symptoms of borderline personality disorder / Blaise Aguirre, MD, and Gillian Galen, PsyD ; foreword by Alec Miller, PsyD.

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 978-1-62625-218-9 (paperback) -- ISBN 978-1-62625-219-6 (pdf e-book) -- ISBN 978-1-62625-220-2 (epub) 1. Borderline personality disorder--Treatment. 2. Acceptance and commitment therapy. 3. Dialectical behavior therapy. 4. Self-care, Health. I. Galen, Gillian. II. Title.

RC569.5.B67A386 2013

616.85852--dc23

2015020074

This book is dedicated to my children, who have given me plenty of opportunities to practice skills, and to Lauren, who has learned to accept it when I tell her that this is my last book.

Blaise

To Jed, for your endless support of all of my projects no matter the timing, and to Henry, my littlest teacher.

Gillian