Photo of Brian L. Grant, Psychiatrist in 98101, WA
Brian L. Grant
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Seattle, WA 98101
My work focuses on helping patients enhance and improve effective functioning and satisfaction in their relationship with themselves and others; at home, work and community. I am flexible in my approach, and let the circumstances and reality of the patient shape our work together. I can prescribe medications when appropriate for my psychotherapy patients, but my primary focus is psychotherapy. I am not available for medication management only. I prefer in person sessions but depending upon circumstances, will consider online or a hybrid of both.
My work focuses on helping patients enhance and improve effective functioning and satisfaction in their relationship with themselves and others; at home, work and community. I am flexible in my approach, and let the circumstances and reality of the patient shape our work together. I can prescribe medications when appropriate for my psychotherapy patients, but my primary focus is psychotherapy. I am not available for medication management only. I prefer in person sessions but depending upon circumstances, will consider online or a hybrid of both.
(206) 472-1906 View (206) 472-1906
Photo of Adam D Barnett, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in 98101, WA
Adam D Barnett
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, DNP, PMHNP, RN
Verified Verified
Seattle, WA 98101
My ideal client is open minded and willing to work with me to establish treatment goals tailored to their needs. They understand that health is a continuous process & not a destination. They want to work towards complete wellness & consider lifestyle change. Advanced practice nurses consider therapies alongside medicine including complimentary/alternative approaches, well studied supplementation, nutrition, exercise, general health & wellness. We examine and perform individual as well as interpersonal & group psychotherapy.
My ideal client is open minded and willing to work with me to establish treatment goals tailored to their needs. They understand that health is a continuous process & not a destination. They want to work towards complete wellness & consider lifestyle change. Advanced practice nurses consider therapies alongside medicine including complimentary/alternative approaches, well studied supplementation, nutrition, exercise, general health & wellness. We examine and perform individual as well as interpersonal & group psychotherapy.
(509) 236-1560 View (509) 236-1560
Borderline Personality (BPD) Psychiatrists

What is the most successful approach to treating borderline personality disorder?

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is considered the gold standard of treatment for borderline personality disorder. An evidence-based treatment, it addresses the extreme emotional reactivity, the relationship difficulties, and the acts of self-harm that create so much distress for BPD patients. DBT is a comprehensive program that includes both regular individual psychotherapy sessions and weekly group sessions of skills training.

What happens in treatment of borderline personality disorder?

Treatment typically consists of weekly individual therapy sessions that last an hour and group skill-focused instructional sessions that may last up to two hours. Patients are typically given homework “assignments” in which they are asked to practice in their daily life the skills they acquire in therapy. Patients also keep a diary tracking their emotions and impulses as a way to know which situations are most problematic and to help them gain control over their own behavior. Difficult situations and feelings are typically reviewed in therapy sessions and more constructive solutions found.

What kinds of problems does BPD treatment help with?

DBT was initially developed to dampen the self-destructive impulses of chronically suicidal patients. It is now the treatment of choice for borderline personality disorder, a serious condition marked by extreme emotional reactivity, relationship instability, and self-injurious behaviors. Treatment of BPD helps patients tolerate the flux of emotions without acting on them, often with a specific focus on tolerating negative emotions. DBT addresses the core problems of BPD—fear of abandonment, low self-esteem, and impulsivity.

What is the goal of treatment in borderline personality disorder?

The goal of treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD) is to relieve the extreme emotional distress that patients experience—to curb their emotional reactivity, to minimize their inclination to self-harm, and to reduce their impulsivity. Toward these ends, patients are not only taught an array of new coping skills and techniques for emotional regulation, they are given opportunities to practice them. Another major goal of treatment is interpersonal effectiveness; patients learn and problem-solve ways to effectively communicate in relationships, especially how to ask for what they need as a way to minimize hurt feelings.