Confidently Treat Borderline Personality Disorder Without Becoming a BPD Specialist

Confidently Treat Borderline Personality Disorder Without Becoming a BPD Specialist

Presenter: Shannon Sauer-Zavala, PhD

Shannon Sauer-Zavala, PhD, is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Kentucky, a licensed clinical psychologist, and an internationally recognized expert in cognitive behavioral therapy, personality pathology, and personalized evidence-based treatments for borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Dr. Sauer-Zavala is the developer of BPD Compass, a personalized cognitive behavioral treatment approach that matches interventions to the specific mechanisms driving each client's symptoms. Her research has been supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the IDEAS Center, and the John Templeton Foundation.

She has authored more than 160 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and has delivered over 100 invited presentations, workshops, and continuing education trainings throughout the United States and internationally.

Workshop Description

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is far more common than many clinicians realize, yet most therapists receive little formal training in its treatment. As a result, many providers feel overwhelmed by the complexity of these cases, struggle to identify treatment priorities, or believe that extensive specialty training is required before they can effectively help clients with BPD.

The good news is that you do not need to become a BPD specialist to make a meaningful difference.

In this practical, evidence-based workshop, participants will learn the BPD Compass approach, a personalized framework that helps clinicians identify the key processes maintaining a client's symptoms and select interventions that fit.

Rather than attempting to address all nine DSM symptoms at once or juggle multiple protocols for co-occurring disorders, participants will learn how to simplify treatment planning by targeting three core maintaining processes:

Participants will leave with a clear roadmap for personalizing treatment, addressing common comorbidities such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance use disorders, and eating disorders within a unified framework, and implementing evidence-based interventions with greater confidence.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Develop a case conceptualization for borderline personality disorder based on the personality dimensions that maintain symptoms, including negative affectivity, relational/attachment difficulties, and impulsivity.

2. Describe how the personality traits underlying BPD contribute to its high rates of comorbidity with anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, substance use disorders, and eating disorders.

3. Explain how to personalize the delivery of BPD Compass using the BPD Compass Assessment.

4. Discuss the role of values identification as a motivational enhancement strategy for individuals with borderline personality disorder.

Registration

UPA Member: $75 through January 22, 2027; $100 after January 22, 2027
Non-Member: $125 through January 22, 2027; $150 after January 22, 2027
UPA Student Member: No Fee
Student Non-Member: $15

Register online through the Utah Psychological Association website.