Evaluating the effectiveness of psychodynamic therapy for personality disorders

Benchmarking and Mechanisms of Change During Intensive Psychodynamic Therapy for Personality Disorders: A Naturalistic Process-Outcome Study

KU Leuven · NCT06804369

This study is testing how well intensive psychodynamic therapy helps people with personality disorders feel better in real-life settings.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment110 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorKU Leuven (other)
Locations1 site (Kortenberg, Vlaams-Brabant)
Trial IDNCT06804369 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to assess the effectiveness of intensive psychodynamic therapy (PDT) for individuals with personality disorders in a naturalistic setting. It will compare treatment outcomes to established benchmarks from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and analyze the proportion of patients achieving clinically meaningful change. Additionally, the study will investigate the core processes that contribute to successful treatment outcomes. By focusing on real-world effectiveness, this research seeks to bridge the gap between controlled trial results and everyday clinical practice.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are individuals over 18 years old who meet the criteria for a personality disorder and can communicate effectively in Dutch.

Not a fit: Patients with substance abuse issues or acute psychotic symptoms may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide valuable insights into the real-world effectiveness of psychodynamic therapy for personality disorders, potentially improving treatment approaches.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown effectiveness of personality disorder treatments in naturalistic settings, but this study aims to systematically compare these results with RCT benchmarks, making it a novel approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Individuals (male, female, non-binary or other) older than 18 years
2. Meeting criteria for personality disorder as assessed by a psychiatrist and confirmed with the PID-5 and LFPS self-report scales
3. Sufficient mastery of the Dutch language to follow treatment and complete questionnaires
4. Agreeing to participate in the study following informed consent procedure

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Substance abuse that would interfere with the ability to adhere to the treatment
2. Acute psychotic symptoms as assessed by a psychiatrist

Where this trial is running

Kortenberg, Vlaams-Brabant

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Personality Disorders, personality disorders, change mechanisms, benchmarking, epistemic trust, mentalizing, resilience, psychodynamic therapy

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.