Therapies for EUPD or BPD

Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD), also known as borderline personality disorder (BPD), brings intense emotions, relationship turmoil and a fluctuating sense of self. Many living with EUPD feel trapped on an emotional rollercoaster: one moment elated, the next plunged into despair. Left unmanaged, these patterns can lead to self-harm, anxiety or depression. However, a range of evidence-based therapies offers real hope for stability and growth.

We combine these proven approaches with a trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming lens. Working online from Inverness and across the UK you can access therapy from your calm place, I will tailor Hypno-CBT, EMDR, person-centred counselling, DBT and Decider Skills to your unique needs—drawing on lived experience of neurodivergence and trauma to co-create a safe space for healing.

Understanding EUPD

People with EUPD often experience:

• Rapid mood swings—from deep sadness to irritability in hours

• Fear of abandonment leading to intense efforts to stay connected

• Impulsive acts such as substance misuse or self-injury to manage overwhelming feelings

• A chronic sense of emptiness or unstable self-image

Research suggests around 70% of individuals with EUPD report childhood trauma, underscoring the need for therapies that address both emotional regulation and early life wounds.

Choosing the Right Therapy

Selecting an approach depends on your personal preferences, symptoms and life circumstances. Here’s how each modality works and how we apply it at Cleary Counselling:

Hypno-Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Hypno-CBT)

• What it is: Integrates hypnosis with CBT to reframe negative thoughts and instil calming suggestions.

• How it helps: By accessing relaxed states, you learn to spot unhelpful thought patterns (for example, “I’m worthless”) and replace them with positive affirmations.

• At Cleary Counselling: We customise hypnotic scripts that honour your sensory needs—pairing guided imagery with deep-breath anchors to reduce anxiety and build self-compassion.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

• What it is: Uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements or taps) to process distressing memories.

• How it helps: EMDR can reduce the emotional charge of past trauma, freeing you from intense reactions to triggers. Studies show about 77% of those with EUPD experience notable symptom relief post-EMDR.

• At Cleary Counselling: We install “resource memories” of safety and support, so you carry an internal ally into moments of interpersonal stress.

Person-Centred Counselling

• What it is: Offers a non-judgmental, empathic space for you to explore feelings at your own pace.

• How it helps: A trusting therapeutic relationship fosters self-acceptance, allowing raw emotions—anger, shame, grief—to be fully witnessed and integrated.

• At Cleary Counselling: I draw on lived neurodivergent experience to create structured yet flexible sessions, ensuring clarity for clients who prefer more concrete, predictable frameworks.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

• What it is: Blends CBT with mindfulness and acceptance, focusing on four core skill sets:

  • Mindfulness

  • Distress tolerance

  • Emotional regulation

  • Interpersonal effectiveness

• How it helps: DBT’s skills training reduces self-harm, enhances emotional control and improves relationship boundaries.

Decider Skills

• What they are: Structured workshops teaching you to spot triggers, practise calm-down strategies and make empowered choices in the heat of the moment.

• How they help: By rehearsing real-world scenarios in a safe group, you build confidence and expand your behavioural repertoire.

Finding Your Best Fit

To choose a path:

• Reflect on your goals: Stability, trauma-processing or relationship repair?

• Consider your pace: Do you prefer skills-based groups (DBT) or one-to-one exploration (EMDR, person-centred)?

• Check therapist expertise: At Cleary Counselling I have advanced training in these modalities and ongoing supervision.

• A brief consultation call can help match you to the right approach. Visit clearycounselling.co.uk to book and learn more.

Embarking on therapy for EUPD is an act of courage. With the right blend of Hypno-CBT, EMDR, person-centred counselling, DBT and Decider Skills, you can move from emotional chaos to a grounded sense of self, healthier relationships and lasting resilience. At Cleary Counselling and via @cleary_counselling, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.