Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder in Teens

The course provides an overview of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), including the current diagnostic criteria, related behaviors, and recommended evidence-based treatments. The course will then address how the disorder presents in teens, how to effectively identify it, and the importance of early detection and intervention in reducing stigma and improving outcomes. The course draws from key research on BPD in teens, as well as source material related to Dialectical Behavior Therapy, an evidence-based treatment for BPD. This presentation gives mental health practitioners a new understanding of BPD as a disorder that is both detectable and treatable in teens.

Learning Objectives

• identify the current diagnostic criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder and related behaviors.
• identify two key components that contribute to the development of Borderline Personality Disorder.
• distinguish between the internally and externalizing symptoms present in Borderline Personality Disorder and understand how these relate to accurate diagnosing in teens.
• describe at least two key reasons why early detection and intervention for Borderline Personality is important.

Presented By:

Alyson Orcena, LMFT, Executive Clinical Director, Evolve Treatment Centers Executive Clinical Director

Alyson is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over a decade of clinical experience in a variety of settings, including residential treatment, private practice, and community-based mental health. She specializes in the treatment of adolescents with emotion dysregulation and suicidal behaviors and is trained in multiple evidenced-based practices including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and mindfulness. As Evolve’s Executive Clinical Director, Alyson’s mission is to strengthen and improve every aspect of our clinical standards and practices, providing staff with ongoing training, resources, and mentorship. In addition, Alyson provides educational workshops for families and community members. She thrives as a clinical leader and is excited to offer her insight and expertise to the entire community.