Internal Family Systems therapy for borderline personality disorder

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This pilot interventional study will deliver up to 50 individual IFS therapy sessions over about 12–15 months to 15 participants with clinician-confirmed borderline personality disorder. The primary outcome is change in BPD symptom severity from baseline to post-treatment, with secondary measures including emotion dysregulation, shame, self-compassion, interpersonal functioning, mood, addictive behaviors, and overall well-being. The study will also track feasibility outcomes (recruitment, retention, adherence), acceptability, and safety, and excludes people with current manic or psychotic symptoms, severe substance dependence, cognitive impairment, or concurrent psychotherapy. Sessions can be provided virtually across Ontario and participants must be English-fluent and able to commit to the full course of therapy and assessments.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* 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 Criteria:

* 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.

Where it's running

• Provincewide across Ontario (intervention can be delivered virtually)
  Tiny, Ontario, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Barna Konkoly-Thege, PhD — Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care
• Study coordinator: Barna Konkoly-Thege, PhD
• Email: bkonkoly-thege@waypointcentre.ca
• Phone: 705-549-3181

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.