Borderline Personality Disorder Therapy in Washington, DC

Living with borderline personality disorder can feel exhausting. Intense emotions, fears of abandonment, unstable relationships, chronic self-criticism, emptiness, and impulsive behaviors can create a sense of being overwhelmed by feelings that seem difficult to understand or control. Many people with borderline personality disorder have spent years feeling misunderstood, judged, or discouraged by treatments that focus only on managing symptoms.

I approach borderline personality disorder from a psychodynamic and psychoanalytic perspective, with an emphasis on understanding the deeper emotional and relational patterns that contribute to suffering. Together, we explore recurring themes in relationships, difficulties with trust and intimacy, experiences of loss or rejection, and the ways these patterns may emerge both inside and outside of therapy.

My work is informed by Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP), an evidence-based treatment developed specifically for borderline personality disorder. TFP emphasizes understanding how longstanding patterns of relating to oneself and others become activated within the therapeutic relationship. By examining these patterns as they unfold in real time, therapy can help foster a more stable sense of self, greater emotional regulation, and more satisfying relationships.

While my primary orientation is psychodynamic, I also incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills when clinically appropriate. For some patients, practical strategies for managing overwhelming emotions, improving distress tolerance, and reducing self-destructive behaviors can be an important part of treatment. My goal is not simply to help you cope with symptoms, but to understand and address the underlying conflicts and emotional experiences that give rise to them.

I offer a warm, engaged, and thoughtful therapeutic relationship where difficult feelings can be explored safely and honestly. With time, many people find that therapy helps them feel more emotionally grounded, less reactive in relationships, and better able to maintain a stable and authentic sense of themselves.

If you are struggling with borderline personality disorder or recognize some of these patterns in your life, I welcome the opportunity to discuss whether working together may be helpful.