Actively Recruiting
Effectiveness of Internal Family Systems Therapy in Improving Mental Health in Individuals With Borderline Personality Disorder
Led by Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care · Updated on 2026-01-16
15
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
52 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a serious mental health condition marked by emotional instability, unstable relationships, impulsive behaviors, and a poor sense of self. It often leads to difficulties like addiction and self-harm, resulting in heavy use of healthcare services. Current treatments like dialectical behavior therapy help some people but don't address all aspects of BPD. This study is exploring internal family systems (IFS) therapy, which views the mind as made up of different parts with their own feelings and thoughts, helping individuals connect with a calmer core Self. This is the first study to evaluate IFS therapy specifically for BPD. Participants will receive up to 50 individual weekly sessions of IFS therapy over 12 to 15 months. The therapy is delivered by two licensed mental health professionals trained in the IFS model in a private mental health care setting. Participants will pay a significantly reduced fee for these sessions. This study uses a single-group design with repeated assessments at baseline, 4 months, 8 months, and at the end of treatment to track changes. During the study, participants will complete mental health assessments electronically at four time points to measure BPD symptoms and related factors such as emotion regulation, shame, self-compassion, interpersonal functioning, depression, anxiety, addictive behaviors, and overall well-being. Researchers will also monitor attendance, retention, and acceptability through questionnaires. The trial is planned from early 2026 through 2028, including recruitment, therapy, data analysis, and result sharing.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Internal Family Systems Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Resident of Ontario, Canada
- Fluent in English to consent, participate in therapy, and complete assessments
- Diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder confirmed by an authorized healthcare professional
- Willing and able to participate in 50 therapy sessions over 12-15 months and study assessments
- Capacity and willingness to provide written informed consent
You will not qualify if you...
- Current manic or psychotic symptoms
- Severe substance dependence interfering with study participation
- Cognitive impairment or neurological disorders preventing consent or meaningful participation
- Currently participating in any other form of psychotherapy
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person or virtual) for eligibility assessment
Duration - Approximately 12 to 15 months
Participants receive weekly individual internal family systems therapy sessions aimed at improving mental health and reducing symptoms of borderline personality disorder.
Weekly one-hour therapy sessions
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Provincewide across Ontario (intervention can be delivered virtually)
Tiny, Ontario, Canada
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
B
Barna Konkoly-Thege, PhD
S
Stephanie Munten-Chisholm, MSc
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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