Borderline Personality Disorder Outpatient Program
At McLean, we know what it is to struggle with the challenges of borderline personality disorder. Call us today to learn how our world-class outpatient care can help you or a loved one.
Living with borderline personality disorder (BPD) can feel like an emotional rollercoaster—intense feelings, shifting relationships, and overwhelming thoughts can make daily life challenging. But you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Our outpatient treatment program is designed to provide structured, compassionate, and evidence-based care that helps individuals build stability, strengthen relationships, and develop lifelong coping skills. Whether you’re struggling with emotional regulation, impulsivity, or feelings of emptiness, we’re here to offer support, guidance, and real strategies for lasting change.
About the Program
Our self-pay program is ideal for those who:
- Have BPD and other complex personality disorders, with or without coexisting conditions, such as trauma-related disorders, eating disorders, drug/alcohol addiction, depression, or anxiety
- Are seeking outpatient treatment for personality disorders symptoms, such as emotion dysregulation, self-harm, suicidality, and relationship difficulties
- Struggle with feelings of self-doubt, intense fear of abandonment, self-image problems, and low self-worth
Our outpatient services operate Monday through Friday in the morning, with each individual attending treatment for an average of 20 hours per week. We offer hybrid programming with some groups online and other programming in person on McLean’s Belmont campus.
The program requires an initial six-month treatment period, though ultimately length of care is determined by each patient’s unique clinical needs. Group therapy and medication management within the program are fully insurance-based. The individual and family therapy is self-pay.
For individuals who may benefit from around-the-clock wraparound care, please consider McLean’s Gunderson Residence.
For more information or to make a referral, please call us at 617.855.3452
How Is BPD Diagnosed?
BPD is a complex disorder, one that is often confused for other diagnoses. Learn how clinicians review patient symptoms and determine if borderline personality disorder is the right diagnosis.
Treatment Approach
At the Borderline Personality Disorder Outpatient Program, we use a range of evidence-based treatment and therapy models that can be customized to the needs of the individual based on the type and severity of specific symptoms.
Patients receive a detailed initial evaluation that helps clinicians customize a treatment plan that incorporates the best therapies and strategies to address symptoms, identify challenges, and set goals.
Our specialized, outpatient care has an emphasis on skill building, while working toward patient self-reliance and establishing occupational, academic, and social opportunities in the community.
Group therapy covers a broad range of topics including mindfulness, symptom education, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and family issues.
We also encourage patients to become involved with the larger community through part-time work, volunteer opportunities, and classes at local colleges and universities.
Treatment Models That We Use
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) emphasizes the development of four skill sets: mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance. DBT has proven to be one of the most effective ways of treating borderline personality disorder.
- Dialectical behavior therapy for PTSD (DBT-PTSD) integrates DBT principles with trauma-focused cognitive techniques and exposure interventions for childhood trauma, fostering self-acceptance and compassion.
- Radically open DBT (RO-DBT) targets disorders characterized by excessive self-control by promoting flexibility, openness, and social connectedness in individuals who struggle with perfectionism and overly controlled, rigid, or inhibited behavior.
- Mentalization-based treatment (MBT) is a therapy model that focuses on helping people to differentiate and separate their own thoughts and feelings from those around them.
- General psychiatric management (GPM), which includes education for patients and their families and case management, was developed by McLean’s own John G. Gunderson, MD, a pioneer in BPD research and care.
- Transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) is a rigorously structured psychodynamic therapeutic approach rooted in object relations theory. It is a nuanced and empirically validated intervention tailored to address disturbances in self-identity, interpersonal relationships, and affect regulation characteristic of individuals diagnosed with BPD.
Family Involvement in Patient Care
Family and friends are valuable tools in a patient’s recovery and long-term success, providing reinforcement for positive change and helping to meet treatment goals.
Support and education for patients, families, and friends is also integral to treatment success. We offer group therapy and educational workshops for families and friends targeted for the specific needs of supporting a loved one with BPD.
Family is involved in weekly family therapy sessions and participates in weekly parent groups, which provide education, support, and skill building.
Learn more about BPD treatment at McLean
How DBT Supports BPD
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a proven, effective treatment that can help people manage their emotions and address other mental health symptoms. Learn more about DBT and how it can support individuals struggling with BPD.
Admission
We look forward to speaking with you about treatment opportunities. For more information or to make a referral, please contact an admissions coordinator.
Phone: 617.855.3452
Email: @email
Prospective patients are interviewed and evaluated prior to admission to ensure the best chance of success. Please note that virtual outpatient care is limited to individuals within Massachusetts.
Independent motivation to change is an essential requirement, and while family members or clinicians may see our program as a good fit, the individual must be ready to actively participate in recovery.
In addition, adequate levels of physical health and sobriety are reviewed to determine whether the level of care is appropriate for the individual.
Cost
The Borderline Personality Disorder Outpatient Program is a self-pay program. Although many of the fees for the program will be out-of-pocket expenses, several services may be covered by insurance. Individuals commit to an initial six-month treatment period, though length of care is determined by the patient’s clinical needs.
The initial six-month period is $8,400, paid up front. Additional treatment is $1,400 per month.
For services that may be covered by insurance, McLean accepts Medicare, Massachusetts Medicaid, and many private insurance and managed care plans.
More information on insurance providers accepted by McLean Hospital may be found on the Mass General Brigham website. You may also find it beneficial to review McLean’s patient billing and financial assistance information.
Use DBT in Your Everyday Life
At its core, DBT equips people with practical, life-changing skills grouped into four skill sets: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Each skill set offers unique tools to navigate life’s challenges.
Program Leadership
DBT Skills Can Improve Communication
Are you able to communicate your needs, say no when necessary, and set boundaries for yourself? If you answered no to any of these, don’t worry—you can use DBT skills to connect meaningfully with others and foster healthy, resilient relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the program located?
The Borderline Personality Disorder Outpatient Program offers care online and in person. In-person appointments take place at McLean’s Belmont campus in the Adult Outpatient Services located in the Service Building.
For more information on directions, parking, and local accommodations, please visit our Maps & Directions page.
Who benefits most from the program?
Although our outpatient program is geared for treatment of borderline personality disorder, we also serve individuals with mixed personality disorders, depression, and those experiencing symptoms related to personality disorders.
Is family involved in treatment?
Family involvement, with the permission of the patient, is highly encouraged and can have a profound impact on treatment and recovery.
Families are an integral part of our outpatient care, and we advise family inclusion as an essential part of treatment. We start with educational meetings to orient the family members, and then move to addressing specific relationship issues.
Is smoking permitted?
Patients are permitted to smoke in designated outdoor areas only. No smoking is allowed inside any of our buildings. Active smokers are encouraged to quit smoking and may choose to incorporate this into treatment as a component of recovery.
Are cell phones and other electronics allowed?
Cell phone use is strongly discouraged during treatment and in the waiting room to prevent disruption of the program and others.
Is the individual’s time at the program kept private?
Privacy is of the utmost importance at McLean, and we ensure confidentiality through our highly trained, professional, and discreet staff.
No third party, whether known to the patient or not, has access to medical records, health information, or any information about a patient’s care without prior written authorization from the individual.
Are support and educational resources available?
From helpful online resources to self-help groups and more, McLean Hospital is committed to providing support and mental health education to aid patients and families on the path to recovery.
Are support groups offered?
To complement our program’s services and encourage individuals’ initiatives in their own treatment course, many self-help groups are hosted by McLean.
Is aftercare planning a part of the program?
The treatment team works closely with the individual as well as with family, significant friends, and outside providers to develop a personalized aftercare plan. Recommendations by staff are made based upon clinical needs, progress made during treatment, and long-term treatment goals.
Can former patients access their medical records?
All requests for medical records should be directed to McLean’s Health Information Management Department.
Does McLean gather patient feedback?
McLean is dedicated to maintaining high-quality and effective patient care. To ensure that those standards remain at the highest level, we utilize a number of feedback instruments and quality indicators.
McLean Is Here to Help
If you or your loved one is struggling with borderline personality disorder, call us today to learn more about our outpatient care. Our admission staff will talk you through our treatment options.
