THE INTENT
In 2023 we set out to show the nuances of, and the differences and similarities between, NPD and BPD by showcasing a few people with diagnoses through interviews and clinical sessions with several selected therapists.
The result was a collaboration with three participants with diagnoses – Tiffany, Tessa and Jacob – and five expert clinicians: Dr. Karen Jacob, Dr. Igor Weinberg, Dr. Christine Foertsch, Dr. Ruth Lewis and Dr. Brandon Unruh.
The content is intended for people diagnosed with personality disorders and their families, friends and partners, as well as treaters, students and researchers of all stripes in the field. We are hoping to show people with PDs as more relatable and approachable by exploring some of their vulnerabilities and strengths, especially the determination to improve themselves and their lives.
THE MATERIAL
We ended up with over 25 hours of edited material:
8 Sessions + 13 Post-Session Debriefs and 5 Interviews.
The material is presented in two forms:
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A fully edited, single-frame version and
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An extended version that presents as much of the material as possible, largely in split-screen so that viewers can see as much of all the participants as we could show – this could be especially useful when watching/studying sessions and really digging into the dynamics between clinician and client.
All individual sessions have at least one debrief with either a participant or the expert clinician, and mostly with both. We felt it important to show some post-session thoughts from both sides, to give some perspective / added dimension to the session.
In the shop we've organized the material into combo packs to make it possible for people to rent/buy the subsets of interviews and sessions they're most interested in at reduced cost (as well as individually). So you could go for all the Tiffany material, or all the interviews, or all the sessions, or just any one specific piece -- depending on your needs (and moods).
THE PEOPLE
These are the wonderful people who agreed to be on camera -- participants sharing sometimes very uncomfortable, intimate things about their lives, and expert clinicians showing us how they use their expertise to treat people with BPD and NPD:
TESSA
Diagnosed with NPD in her early 20s.
At the time of filming, Tessa was active on social media under the name SpiritNarc, where she spoke about her experience living with Narcissistic Personality Disorder. She is now pursuing degrees in psychology.
TIFFANY
Diagnosed with BPD in her early 30s.
Before collaborating on this project with us, Tiffany appeared on our YouTube channel BorderlinerNotes to share some of her story of living with Borderline Personality Disorder. She is a practicing psychiatrist.
JACOB
Diagnosed with NPD in his early 20s.
After being diagnosed, Jacob turned living with Narcissistic Personality Disorder into a career through self-research and sharing via his social media accounts under the handle The Nameless Narcissist.
KAREN JACOB, PhD
Program Director, Gunderson Residence, McLean Hospital
Karen L. Jacob, PhD, is the program director of the Gunderson Residence. She received her PhD in clinical psychology from Clark University and completed her post-doctoral training at Cambridge Health Alliance at Harvard Medical School. Her clinical training has been primarily in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for patients struggling with mood, anxiety, and personality disorders, as well as in mindfulness, mentalization, dialectical behavior, and biofeedback therapies.
More info at:
IGOR WEINBERG, PhD
Associate Psychologist, Adult Outpatient Services, McLean Hospital
Igor Weinberg, PhD, specializes in the assessment and treatment of personality disorders, especially borderline and narcissistic personality disorders. His additional areas of expertise include treatment of suicidal behaviors and substance use disorders in patients with personality disorders. In his clinical work, he uses evidence-based treatments including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mentalization-based treatment, and transference focused psychotherapy.
More info at:
BRANDON UNRUH, MD
Medical Director, Gunderson Residence, McLean Hospital
SESSION: MBT Group (in 2 parts)
Brandon Unruh, MD, is the medical director of the Gunderson Residence, an intensive, specialized residential program for women with severe personality disorders. His clinical approach is anchored in the integration of evidence-based treatments such as dialectical behavior therapy, mentalization-based treatment, and general psychiatric management.
More info at:
CHRISTINE FOERTSCH, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
Christine Foertsch, PhD, has been learning, delivering, and teaching Dialectical Behavior Therapy for almost 30 years. In 1994, she completed postdoctoral training at the New York Presbyterian Hospital in Westchester County, NY, where Marsha Linehan had just spent a sabbatical teaching DBT to the staff, applying DBT to the patients there, and completing the seminal book on DBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder.
More info at:
https://behavioraltech.org/trainers/christine-foertsch-ph-d/
RUTH E LEWIS, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Lewis, PhD, is a clinical psychologist specializing in men’s mental health and issues around harmful sexual interests and behavior specifically. She runs the Men’s Relational and Sexual Wellness Program in Arlington, MA.
More info at:
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