Investigation of Schema Therapy Performance in Borderline Personality Disorder Patients

Schema Therapy (ST) is a highly effective treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).  The performance of ST for patients with BPD introduced by Young was studied using a single case series trial of six patients who all had primarily a DSM-IV BPD diagnosis. The treatment method comprised the core elements of ST with an emphasis on schema mode work and constrained re-parenting. An A–B direct replication series with follow-up assessments at 12 months was implemented. From baseline to follow-up enhancement was large, as indicated by large effect sizes, and enhancement was clinically meaningful for five of the six patients included. Three of the six patients did not any longer fulfill the criteria for BPD by the end of the treatment.