Photo of Ghalia Zelfo, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 07042, NJ
Ghalia Zelfo
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified Verified
Montclair, NJ 07042
Life gets tough sometimes, you might be having a difficult time in your relationships. You are struggling with communication, trust, intimacy, and you might be feeling emotionally disconnected from your partner or loved ones. It's important for you to feel heard in your healing journey. Your goals to improve your relationships, increase emotional intimacy, and create harmony and balance in your life are valid. I help my clients deepen their understanding of themselves and their loved ones, cultivate compassion and empathy, and create meaningful connections.
Life gets tough sometimes, you might be having a difficult time in your relationships. You are struggling with communication, trust, intimacy, and you might be feeling emotionally disconnected from your partner or loved ones. It's important for you to feel heard in your healing journey. Your goals to improve your relationships, increase emotional intimacy, and create harmony and balance in your life are valid. I help my clients deepen their understanding of themselves and their loved ones, cultivate compassion and empathy, and create meaningful connections.
(973) 221-9916 View (973) 221-9916
Photo of Hala Ghanem, Licensed Professional Counselor in 07042, NJ
Hala Ghanem
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC
Verified Verified
Montclair, NJ 07042
Starting therapy can be a daunting experience. Reaching out for support takes courage and is the ultimate commitment to yourself and wellbeing. I will strive to make your process less daunting by offering an accepting and supportive space where you can meet your mental health needs.
Starting therapy can be a daunting experience. Reaching out for support takes courage and is the ultimate commitment to yourself and wellbeing. I will strive to make your process less daunting by offering an accepting and supportive space where you can meet your mental health needs.
(973) 858-5034 View (973) 858-5034
Photo of Integrative Therapy Institute of NJ, Psychologist in 07042, NJ
Integrative Therapy Institute of NJ
Psychologist
Verified Verified
Montclair, NJ 07042
The Integrative Therapy Institute of New Jersey (ITI-NJ) is a group practice in clinical and counseling psychology that provides psychotherapy services for individuals, couples, and families. ITI-NJ operates at a number of locations throughout the state of NJ and the great majority of our therapists are in-network with all major insurance plans.
The Integrative Therapy Institute of New Jersey (ITI-NJ) is a group practice in clinical and counseling psychology that provides psychotherapy services for individuals, couples, and families. ITI-NJ operates at a number of locations throughout the state of NJ and the great majority of our therapists are in-network with all major insurance plans.
(973) 381-2792 View (973) 381-2792
Photo of Integrative Therapy Institute of NJ, Psychologist in 07042, NJ
Integrative Therapy Institute of NJ
Psychologist
Verified Verified
Montclair, NJ 07042
The Integrative Therapy Institute of New Jersey (ITI-NJ) is a group practice in clinical and counseling psychology that provides psychotherapy services for individuals, couples, and families. ITI-NJ operates at a number of locations throughout the state of NJ and the great majority of our therapists are in-network with all major insurance plans.
The Integrative Therapy Institute of New Jersey (ITI-NJ) is a group practice in clinical and counseling psychology that provides psychotherapy services for individuals, couples, and families. ITI-NJ operates at a number of locations throughout the state of NJ and the great majority of our therapists are in-network with all major insurance plans.
(732) 592-5638 View (732) 592-5638
Borderline Personality (BPD) Therapists

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.