Bellevue Hospital Center / New York University

INTENSIVE PERSONALITY
DISORDER PROGRAM
(IPDP)

About Our Program

The IPDP is an interdisciplinary outpatient program located in Psychiatric Outpatient
Services of Bellevue Hospital Center (BHC-MHC).  The IPDP provides integrative
treatment, comprehensive assessment, research, and teaching with regard to patients
suffering mainly from personality pathologies (Axis-II).  Because of the high
co-morbidity of  Axis-II pathologies and substance abuse/dependence, patients
participating in the IPDP should be in active remission and be participating in substance
abuse rehabilitation/counseling.  Appropriate patients should be able to handle/participate
in intensive individual therapeutic sessions and groups - patients should have a moderate
to high level of functioning and be psychologically minded.

PATIENT ELIGIBILITY
The age requirements for IPDP patients ranges from 18 to 60 years old.  

THERAPEUTIC SERVICES
Our program provides therapeutic treatments that are based on an integrative model
approach that includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior
Therapy (DBT), and Systemic modalities with a marked psychodynamic/relational
emphasis.  The model of treatment is based on theoretical models of character
pathology and treatment including Masterson, Kernberg, Kohut, Millon and Linehan
models.

SCREENING PROCESS
In addition to the initial Mental Hygiene Clinic (MHC) triage and screening, each patient
will undergo and in-depth comprehensive psychological evaluation (including a full
battery of psychological/personality testing) to refine diagnostic issues (e.g., the level of
ego organization and development, defenses, interpersonal level of functioning, sense of
self, capacity for affect modulation, psychosocial functioning, etc.).  Outcome
measures will also be included to measure effectiveness of treatment at various
intervals.  Following the comprehensive evaluation, a customized intensive treatment
plan will be created for each patient.  Each patient will attend two individual
psychotherapy sessions and one group psychotherapy session per week.  The length of
treatment will last approximately one year, but may be extended if appropriate.

THERAPY & TREATMENT
The IPDP utilizes a combination of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Systemic modalities with a marked
psychodynamic/relational emphasis.

DBT SKILLS GROUPS
An integral part of IPDP and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is participation in DBT
Skills Group. These groups are focused on Skill Training. In the Skill Training Groups
individuals are exposed to and taught skills that are relevant to the particular difficulties
experienced while suffering with their disorder.

There are four modules that organize 4 groups of skills:
1) Core Mindfulness Skills
2) Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills
3) Emotional Modulation Skills
4) Distress Tolerance Skills

Each DBT Skills Group meets for 90 minutes once a week. All DBT Skills Groups are
offered through the IPDP and the Mental Hygiene Clinic at Bellevue Hospital Center.

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