Borderline Personality Disorder Collaborative Programs

BPD Co clinical programs

Road Maps - Groups

BPD Co delivers an evidence-informed therapeutic group called Road Maps. This 10-week group for young people (16-18 years) and 12-week group for adults, has been developed by BPD Co, incorporating feedback from group participants.

Road Maps is based on the common factors in effective treatments for BPD, emphasising the connection between vulnerabilities, events, feelings, thoughts and actions. This therapeutic group assists participants to build agency and be active in their own lives, while developing targeted coping strategies to tolerate distress.

The group is available in person for people living in metropolitan Adelaide and online for people living in regional and rural SA. Road Maps - In the Drivers’ Seat, is available in person to adults who have had recent contact with the justice system.

BPD Co is also working with metro Community Mental Health Teams to support local delivery of the Road Maps program. The group is currently available in Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN). If you live in NALHN area, please contact the Community Mental Health Service on Phone: (08) 7485 4300 for more information about the program.

To register: Self-referral to the program’s waitlist is facilitated by calling the duty worker at BPD Co. - Phone: (08) 7425 6500. Please note, wait times depend on the demand for the group program.

Services accessed in Local Health Networks Mental Health Services, supported by BPD Co.

Gold Card SA

Gold Card SA is a brief, four-session intervention primarily offered through Community Mental Health Services to individuals who have recently experienced a mental health crisis. It is based on the brief intervention developed by Project AIR Strategy: Brief Intervention Manual for Personality Disorders.

The intervention consisting of three, one-hour sessions for the consumer, focuses on exploring what led to the crisis, providing psychoeducation and collaboratively developing a safety plan with the goal of reducing further crises. The fourth, optional one-hour session is provided to the support person nominated by the consumer.

This intervention is not delivered at BPD Co. BPD Co provide training, supervision, and implementation support to Local Health Networks (LHNs) and partner organisations to support the delivery of this intervention in their setting. For more information watch the BPD Co Gold Card SA video and read the published evaluation: A state-wide initiative to improve health system responses to people with borderline personality disorder symptoms in crisis: A Retrospective Audit 

Please contact your local LHN Mental Health service for information on access to the intervention.

Consultation and Complex Care

Importantly, this consultation and complex care service is only accessible through Local Health Network (LHN) Mental Health Services. LHN clinicians are encouraged to discuss potential referrals with the BPD Co clinician assigned to their LHN or with the BPD Co Duty Worker prior to referral.

BPD Co works in partnership with clinicians in LHNs to support the care for individuals experiencing the most severe and complex challenges related to Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). This support may include:

• Comprehensive assessment or secondary consultation;
• Multidisciplinary team review;
• Input into the consumer’s management and care plans;
• Time-limited individual or group therapy;
• Supervision of clinicians.

Peer-led programs

Peer Group Program

This 10-week group for people living with BPD, is delivered by our Lived Experience Project Officer and a clinician. Co-designed by people with lived experience, the group uses perspectives on what has been helpful in people’s journeys of recovery. It focuses on the value of peer support, connection and activities that are hands-on and fun. Both face-to-face groups and online groups are available.

To register: Self-referral to this group waitlist is facilitated by calling the duty worker at BPD Co - Phone: 7425 6500. Please note, wait times depend on the demand for the group program.

Peer-led activities and information sessions

Our Lived Experience Project Officer, together with one of our clinicians, offers a range of one-off group activities and events for people living with BPD. These are designed to be relaxed, no pressure, fun and informative. All sessions are free. Register for Peer-led activities and information sessions via the Eventbrite.

Introduction to BPD: information session — For people living with BPD who would like to learn about the diagnosis and hear from our Lived Experience Project Officer. (1.5hrs, online).

Webinar Series — Presented by people with lived experience and clinicians, a relevant topic will be selected and presented for group discussion. (1.5 hours, online). 

To register: Check out our Eventbrite collection for Peer-led activities and information sessions.  For information please contact Jess at BPD Co. on (08) 7425 6500.

Carer Peer-led programs

Our carer peer program provides information and support to families, partners and friends of someone living with BPD.  All workshops are free, and open to people supporting someone living in SA. 

Carer Information Sessions

Introduction to BPD – 2-hour online sessions are delivered monthly and aim to increase understanding of BPD, introduce effective communication skills and self-care and provide links to BPD carer supports. Hear from our carer Lived Experience Project Officer and BPD Co clinician.

To register: check out our Eventbrite collection for future dates on Carer information sessions (2 hours)

Carer Peer Group

Supporting Someone Recently Diagnosed with BPD: 4-week group or 1-day workshop.
The Carer Peer Group is delivered online or in person for family, partners, friends supporting someone recently diagnosed or likely to have a diagnosis of BPD. Co-designed by carers, the group addresses what they wish they had known at the beginning of their journey supporting someone living with BPD.

The group will cover:

1. BPD symptoms, treatments, recovery
2. Carer role in recovery
3. The SA mental health system
4. Self-care & preparing your carer plan

To register: check out our Eventbrite collection for future dates on Carer peer group (4 weeks)

Family Connections™

Family Connections™ is a 12-week group program that meets weekly for two hours to provide education, skills training, and support for people who are in a relationship with someone who has BPD. Focusing on issues that are specific to BPD, it is hosted in a community setting and led by trained group leaders who are either clinicians or family members of relatives with BPD. Groups are available in metro Adelaide and online for people living in regional SA.

To register: for the waitlist and to find out more about Family Connections, visit the NEABPD Australia website.