| Support, Advocacy & Education for people with brain diseases & their families |
| Education for Family Members of People with Borderline Personality Disorder |
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Family CONNECTIONS is a research-based, manualized 12-week course for family members with
a relative with borderline personality disorder (BPD), or symptoms of the disorder. Developed by
Dr. Alan Fruzzetti and Dr. Perry Hoffman, the program seeks to provide the most current
information and research on BPD, to teach coping skills based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy
(DBT) and to develop a support network.
Modeled after NAMI’s Family-to-Family program, Family Connections classes are led by family
members trained during a weekend training retreat.
The effort of Family Connections is coordinated by the National Education Alliance for Borderline
Personality Disorder (NEA-BPD); with preliminary research supported by the National Institute of
Mental Health.
Family Connections includes:
• Education on BPD
• Research on BPD
• Skills training based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in the context of a supportive
group environment.
• The information presented is based on effective treatment theories and practices, and the
latest research findings to provide the foundation for a better understanding of this complex
disorder.
• For parents, spouses, adult children, and siblings of someone with borderline personality
disorder.
• Based on effective treatment theories and practices, and the latest research findings to
provide the foundation for a better understanding of this complex disorder.
• To help participants obtain the latest knowledge and to develop skills for their own well-
being.
• An adaptation of a decade of professionally-led Dialectical Behavior Therapy family groups,
these institution-based programs are now brought into the community and are led by trained
family members.
Course Content - Topics Addressed Include:
Education on BPD Emotion Regulation Skills
Research on BPD Effective Communication Skills
Family Perspectives and Experiences Validation Skills
Relationship Mindfulness Skills Problem Management Skills
This class is taught by family members and is not a therapy group. Data from NIMH research
documents that family members experience a decrease in depression, burden, grief and an
increase in empowerment after taking this class.
We are especially interested in helping family members who have relatives who are in DBT
therapy now or who have benefited from the therapy.
A new class will begin on Sunday, January 22, 2-4pm in Knightdale, NC. Class size is limited and
registration is required.
If you are interested in learning more, please contact Ann or Gerry Akland aakland@nc.rr.com or
gakland@nc.rr.com or 919 848 4490. You may also contact us by submitting this form.
a relative with borderline personality disorder (BPD), or symptoms of the disorder. Developed by
Dr. Alan Fruzzetti and Dr. Perry Hoffman, the program seeks to provide the most current
information and research on BPD, to teach coping skills based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy
(DBT) and to develop a support network.
Modeled after NAMI’s Family-to-Family program, Family Connections classes are led by family
members trained during a weekend training retreat.
The effort of Family Connections is coordinated by the National Education Alliance for Borderline
Personality Disorder (NEA-BPD); with preliminary research supported by the National Institute of
Mental Health.
Family Connections includes:
• Education on BPD
• Research on BPD
• Skills training based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in the context of a supportive
group environment.
• The information presented is based on effective treatment theories and practices, and the
latest research findings to provide the foundation for a better understanding of this complex
disorder.
• For parents, spouses, adult children, and siblings of someone with borderline personality
disorder.
• Based on effective treatment theories and practices, and the latest research findings to
provide the foundation for a better understanding of this complex disorder.
• To help participants obtain the latest knowledge and to develop skills for their own well-
being.
• An adaptation of a decade of professionally-led Dialectical Behavior Therapy family groups,
these institution-based programs are now brought into the community and are led by trained
family members.
Course Content - Topics Addressed Include:
Education on BPD Emotion Regulation Skills
Research on BPD Effective Communication Skills
Family Perspectives and Experiences Validation Skills
Relationship Mindfulness Skills Problem Management Skills
This class is taught by family members and is not a therapy group. Data from NIMH research
documents that family members experience a decrease in depression, burden, grief and an
increase in empowerment after taking this class.
We are especially interested in helping family members who have relatives who are in DBT
therapy now or who have benefited from the therapy.
A new class will begin on Sunday, January 22, 2-4pm in Knightdale, NC. Class size is limited and
registration is required.
If you are interested in learning more, please contact Ann or Gerry Akland aakland@nc.rr.com or
gakland@nc.rr.com or 919 848 4490. You may also contact us by submitting this form.