Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is one of the most stigmatized and misunderstood mental health diagnoses. Despite being both common and treatable, it has long been the subject of skepticism, fear, and even avoidance—both by the public and within the clinical community.
An estimated 1.4% to 5.9% of adults in the United States live with BPD. That equates to millions of individuals—many of whom are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. In psychiatric inpatient settings, people with BPD may account for as many as one in five admissions. Yet the condition is often labeled as untreatable, manipulative, or too “difficult,” leading to isolation for those affected and frustration for those trying to help.
But inside the Gunderson Residence at McLean Hospital, a different story is being told—one grounded in compassion, rigorous science, and, most of all, hope.
Named for the late Dr. John Gunderson, the psychiatrist who helped define and legitimize BPD as a diagnosis, the residence offers a specialized treatment program for women with BPD and other complex personality disorders. It is a place where healing happens not in spite of the diagnosis, but because of the understanding and care given to it.
BPD Care at the Gunderson Residence
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Karen Jacob, PhD, the residence’s program director, has spent her career working with individuals who have been pushed to the margins of the mental health system.
“One of the greatest barriers to care for individuals with borderline personality disorder is stigma—both external and internalized,” Jacob said. “At Gunderson, we work to dismantle that stigma every day by helping people see themselves not through the lens of diagnosis, but through their capacity for growth, connection, and resilience.”
The program’s model includes dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mentalization-based treatment (MBT), individual and group therapy, expressive therapies, skills training, and family involvement. Patients typically stay for four to five months—long enough to begin building meaningful progress in their recovery.
“Healing doesn’t happen in a vacuum,” Jacob explained. “It happens in community, in relationships, and in the safety of being seen and accepted. We create a space where people can show up as they are and begin to rewrite the narratives they’ve carried for so long.”
Brandon Unruh, MD, the program’s medical director, brings a deep expertise in the treatment of personality disorders and a commitment to changing how people view BPD.
“Borderline personality disorder is a deeply human response to a world that hasn’t always been safe,” Unruh said. “Our job isn’t to ‘fix’ people—it’s to walk alongside them, helping them understand their experiences and learn new ways to relate to themselves and others.”
This philosophy is part of what sets the Gunderson Residence apart. Here, patients are not reduced to their diagnosis or past behaviors. They are viewed as capable individuals working through profound emotional challenges. The clinical team—comprised of experienced psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and counselors—brings not just technical skill but a willingness to remain present, even when things get hard.
One former patient shared, “I never felt shame from the staff, just acceptance. It helped me through the most difficult time in my life.”
That kind of environment can be life-changing. Research continues to confirm what clinicians at Gunderson witness daily: Recovery from BPD is not only possible—it’s likely. Long-term studies show that with appropriate treatment, more than 85% of people with BPD achieve remission within ten years. Many go on to lead fulfilling, connected lives.
Still, the stigma lingers. Too many people with BPD are told—explicitly or implicitly—that they are beyond help. Media portrayals often rely on harmful tropes. And even within clinical settings, BPD can remain misunderstood or undertreated.
That’s why Jacob and Unruh see their work not just as treatment, but as advocacy.
“Recovery is real,” Jacob said. “People with BPD are some of the most courageous, insightful, and resilient individuals I’ve ever met. They deserve to be treated with dignity, and they deserve every opportunity to heal.”
In a world still catching up to the realities of personality disorders, the Gunderson Residence offers a powerful example of what’s possible when we reject stigma, embrace science, and choose to believe in the people behind the diagnosis.
For more information about treatment at McLean, call the Gunderson Residence today at 617.855.4250.
