Does this sound like you or your loved one?
- Your emotions go from 0 to 100 quickly and take a while to settle.
- Your relationships feel confusing and cycle between closeness and distance or conflict.
- You try on different selves and feel unsure who you are.
- You feel empty inside.
- You act in the moment in ways you later wish you hadn't - sometimes in ways that put yourself or others at risk.
- You worry about being “too much,” "too sensitive," or misunderstood.
Some people who experience these patterns may meet criteria for borderline personality disorder (BPD). While the label can sound discouraging, the disorder is actually very treatable.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) can be highly life-interfering, painful, and sometimes even life-threatening. It is often associated with intense emotions, unstable relationships, impulsive behaviors, and chronic feelings of emptiness.
bpd therapist in Los Angeles
While many therapists treat anxiety and depression, BPD and severe emotion dysregulation are understood and treated differently. Not because they are untreatable, but because the factors that contribute to these difficulties often require a different therapeutic approach. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is the gold-standard treatment for BPD and has been shown to reduce symptoms while helping individuals build more stable and meaningful lives.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) For BPD
why specialized experience with bpd matters
Borderline personality disorder is a complex condition that is frequently misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Because many of its symptoms overlap with other mental health conditions, arriving at an accurate diagnosis often requires a thorough evaluation and careful consideration of a person's history and overall pattern of functioning. Because of this, finding a therapist with specialized training in BPD can make a meaningful difference.
Additionally, effective treatment requires more than familiarity with DBT. It also requires a deep understanding of emotion dysregulation, personality functioning, behavioral change, and the research supporting evidence-based interventions.
Dr. Esses focused extensively on BPD and DBT throughout her doctoral training, research, and postdoctoral fellowship. She conducted research within Palo Alto University's Borderline Personality Disorder, Emotion Science, and Treatment Lab, and her doctoral dissertation examined how DBT helps people improve. She integrates this specialized background with years of clinical experience treating individuals with BPD and related concerns in hospital and private practice settings.
Many people seeking DBT struggle with more than one concern. In addition to difficulties with emotions, relationships, or impulsive behaviors, it is common for individuals to experience:
an integrative approach
Dr. Esses is trained in multiple evidence-based treatments, including DBT, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Prolonged Exposure (PE). This means that as treatment progresses, therapy can evolve to address concerns such as trauma, OCD, substance use, and broader questions about identity, meaning, and patterns in relationships.
- Trauma-related concerns and PTSD
- OCD
- Depression and anxiety
- Substance and alcohol use concerns
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
what if bpd isn't my only struggle?
If that's true, then you're the rule, not the exception. Many people with BPD are also coping with trauma, OCD, depression, anxiety, substance use concerns, or other challenges. Treatment is tailored to the full range of concerns a person brings to therapy rather than focusing on a single diagnosis in isolation.
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is dbt only for bpd?
No. While DBT is the gold-standard treatment for BPD, it is also shown to be effective for helping individuals struggling with emotion dysregulation, impulsive behaviors, self-harm, relationship difficulties, substance use concerns, and other challenges.
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is bpd treatable?
Yes! Despite common misconceptions, BPD is highly treatable. Research has consistently shown that many individuals experience significant improvement over time, particularly when receiving evidence-based treatment such as DBT.
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do you provide comprehensive dbt?
Comprehensive DBT, or DBT in its standard form, includes four components: individual therapy, DBT skills training group, phone coaching, and a consultation team for therapists. I provide individual therapy, consult regularly with other DBT therapists, and offer phone coaching when indicated. While I do not currently lead DBT skills groups, I do provide individualized DBT skills training when appropriate.
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how do i know if i have bpd?
If you relate to many of the symptoms of BPD and wonder whether you might meet criteria, we can meet for a psychodiagnostic evaluation to provide clarity. The goal is not simply to determine whether you meet criteria, but also to help you better understand your symptoms, what the diagnosis means for you, and how it may inform treatment.
next steps
Initial consultation call
Complimentary consultation calls are for those who are considering therapy and would like to explore next steps. This is a brief call for us to get a sense of fit and for me to answer any questions you may have.
If it feels like a potential fit, you can fill out the inquiry form and I’ll follow up shortly to coordinate a time to connect.
*Please note that I do not accept insurance.