An intensive outpatient program for patients with borderline personality disorder

Intensive outpatient programs are designed to promote patients' functioning in the community by offering a more intensive level of structure and suppo rt than was previously available for outpatients. This paper describes the intensive outpatient program at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts, which is tailored for patients with borderline personality disorder. These patients are susceptible to control struggles and regressive behaviors in m ore restrictive treatment settings. Through frequent contact with clinician s and other patients in this group-oriented program, patients with borderli ne personality disorders appear to feel sufficiently "held" and understood to develop their functional capacities as outpatients.