An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) can be beneficial for people suffering from borderline personality disorder. By its nature, an IOP program provides structure, active participation, and a forum where maladaptive behaviors can be investigated and evaluated over time in a setting with others working through similar challenges.
One study performed on the use of IOP for borderline personality disorders suggested that: “An intensive outpatient program for patients with borderline personality disorder should contain the four main elements of effective treatment for this population—reliance on structure, the expectation that each patient will be an active participant in the development and implementation of his or hertreatment plan, ongoing identification of maladaptive interpersonal functioning, and a focus on adaptation to community life and a longitudinal perspective on the patient’s life.” Source: An Intensive Outpatient Program for Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder. Smith, Ruiz-Sancho, and Gunderson. Psychiatric Services. 2001.
Author: Seda Gragossian, Ph.D.
Talk Therapy Psychology Center
