What is it about?
STEPPS (Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving) is a group therapy that treats Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). STEPPS is delivered over a six month period, and focuses on teaching skills that enable individuals to understand and regulate their emotions and responses. This study investigated which elements of the therapy are effective in reducing symptoms of BPD.
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Why is it important?
Once a therapy has been shown to be effective, it is important to understand how it is working. This has many benefits including helping to compare one therapy to another, how to make clinical practice most effective, and how to best match the therapy to individuals' needs. This study showed that the skills taught in STEPPS and the intragroup relationships were two key factors that were associated with BPD symptom improvement. If it is the case that these elements are the effective components, this will inform the delivery of the therapy and potentially the development of other therapies for BPD.
Perspectives
These results also add support to the idea that a skills-based intervention is effective for this client group. However, psychological therapies can’t be reduced to just techniques and protocols; the results of this study also remind us that human relationships are an intrinsic part of what is healing about the therapeutic process.
Natalie Isaia
University of Surrey
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Effective therapeutic components in Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving (STEPPS) for borderline personality disorder., Personality Disorders Theory Research and Treatment, January 2023, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/per0000605.
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