RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07342907

Internal Family Systems Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder

Effectiveness of Internal Family Systems Therapy in Improving Mental Health in Individuals With Borderline Personality Disorder

Sponsor

Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care

Enrollment

15 participants

Start Date

Feb 1, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Borderline personality disorder (BPD)

Summary

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) involves intense emotional ups and downs, unstable relationships, impulsivity, and a poor sense of self. These challenges often lead to addiction, self-harm, and frequent use of healthcare services. While certain treatments already in practice - such as dialectical behavior therapy - can help, they don't work for everyone or address all aspects of the disorder. This study plans to explore internal family systems (IFS) therapy, a method that views the mind as made up of different "parts" - each with its own thoughts and feelings. IFS helps people build understanding and compassion toward these parts and connect with a calmer, more centered "Self." This may be especially useful for those with BPD, who often feel fragmented and extremely critical of themselves and others. This will be the first study to examine internal family systems therapy for BPD. The participants (15 in total) will receive up to 50 individual sessions over 15 months. Changes in symptoms and overall mental health will be measured at four points during the study. People with lived experience of BPD will help shape the research to ensure it is relevant, respectful, and useful for others facing similar challenges.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria5

Resident of Ontario, Canada;
Sufficient fluency in English to provide informed consent, participate in therapy sessions, and complete self-reported assessments;
Diagnosis of borderline personality disorder confirmed by a healthcare professional authorized to establish such a diagnosis in Ontario;
Willingness and ability (including financial means) to participate in the 50-session, 12-15-month intervention and the study assessments;
Capacity and willingness to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria4

Current manic or psychotic symptoms regardless of diagnosis;
Substance dependence severe enough to interfere with meaningful level of engagement in the study intervention.
Cognitive impairment or neurological disorders that would preclude informed consent or meaningful participation in the study intervention.
Concurrent participation in any another form of psychotherapy.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALInternal family systems therapy

The internal family systems model was developed by Richard C. Schwartz in the 1980s. This psychotherapy is based on the assumption that the human mind is naturally multiple and consists of interacting sub-personalities ("parts"), including protective and vulnerable parts, shaped by development and adversity. All parts are assumed to have positive intentions, even when their effects are maladaptive; therapy therefore aims to transform rather than eliminate them. Internal family systems therapy further posits the existence of a core Self in every person, characterized by qualities such as compassion, clarity, and calm, which is inherently intact in each individual and capable of leading the internal system. Therapeutic change involves increasing the leadership skills of the core Self, building trusting relationships among parts and the core Self, and unburdening vulnerable parts so they can assume more adaptive roles, supporting improved emotion regulation and well-being.