Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) refers to a mental condition characterized by extreme mood swings and uncontrollable emotions, resulting in unstable relationships and a lower quality of life.
Often, BPD symptoms are undiagnosed unless they become severe. BPD may also lead to chronic feelings of emptiness, uncontrollable anger, and even thoughts of self-harm.
Online psychotherapy can be a good option for the treatment of BPD. In this guide, we’ve reviewed six online therapy platforms that can help you overcome borderline personality disorder.
Want to skip right to the suggestions for BPD therapists? Here are our 6 recommended therapy solutions:
Best online platforms for BPD therapy
The following online platforms provide access to experienced BPD therapists who can help you manage the symptoms of this disorder.
Povider | Good For | Location | Pricing |
---|---|---|---|
BetterHelp | Quick match with the right therapist four you | Online therapy | $65 to $90 per week (billed every 4 weeks) |
Teen Counseling | Teens from ages 13-19 | Online therapy | $65 to $90 per week (billed every 4 weeks) |
Find-a-therapist.com | Finding and contacting the right therapist for you | Online and in-person therapy | Varies depending on the counselor fee |
Online-therapy.com | Finding licensed and experienced therapists with a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach | Online therapy | $40/week to $88/week (including our 20% discount first month) |
Calmerry | Depression therapy, online grief counseling, anxiety therapy, therapy for OCD, self-esteem therapy | Online therapy | $49.50 to $73.75 per week (billed monthly) |
TalkSpace | Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, LGBTQIA+ therapy | Online therapy | Varies according to insurance coverage or self-pay options |
1. BetterHelp
Explore emotional well-being with BetterHelp – your partner in affordable online therapy. With 30,000+ licensed therapists and plans starting from only $65 per week, BetterHelp makes self-care accessible to all. Complete the questionnaire to match with the right therapist.
- Good for: Quick match with the right therapist four you.
- Location: Online therapy.
- Pricing: $65 to $90 per week (billed every 4 weeks).
- Features: iOS and Android app available, message your therapist anytime, live sessions are scheduled weekly and done via live chat, phone, or video call.
BetterHelp is an online platform that has a number of therapists with expertise in treating people with BDP. On signup, you’ll need to answer certain questions related to your BPD symptoms and therapist preferences, such as their gender. Based on these answers, BetterHelp will match you with a BPD therapist who meets your specific needs.
Read our BetterHelp review here.
2. Teen Counseling
Nurture your teenager’s well-being through Teen Counseling. Tailored for ages 13-19, their online therapy begins at $65/week. This includes a weekly live session, the flexibility to message your therapist at any time, and the opportunity for parents to connect with therapists. Empower your teen’s journey today with Teen Counseling – start with their online questionnaire.
Note: We collaborate with top-tier mental health companies and receive advertising fees from purchases through the Teen Counseling links.
- Good for: Teens from ages 13-19.
- Location: Online therapy.
- Pricing: $65 to $90 per week (billed every 4 weeks).
- Features: The platform is designed to make finding a therapist easy, message your therapist anytime, live sessions are scheduled weekly and done via live chat, phone, or video call.
Teen Counseling is a platform that matches teenagers from ages 13 to 19 with licensed therapists with experience and training in managing BPD symptoms. The online nature of the platform makes it particularly appealing to teenagers who may prefer digital communication.
3. Find-a-therapist.com
- Good for: Finding and contacting the right therapist for you.
- Location: Online and in-person therapy.
- Pricing: Varies depending on the counselor fee.
- Features: Filter your search, find accessible and effective online and in-person therapy, find guides on different types of therapy.
Find-a-therapist.com offers a comprehensive online directory where you can customize your search to find the right therapist according to your needs and preferences. You can find therapists like Matthew Kijak, James Norwood, or Tami Hubbard, who have experience in addressing BPD.
4. Online-therapy.com
Discover transformative online therapy with Online-therapy.com. Through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Online-therapy.com offers individual and couples support starting at $45/week. Engage in sessions via video, voice, or text for maximum flexibility. Fill out their online questionnaire to get started.
- Good for: Finding licensed and experienced therapists with a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach.
- Location: Online therapy.
- Pricing: $40/week to $88/week (including our 20% discount first month).
- Features: Unlimited messaging with your therapist, including a daily journal and activity plan, yoga and meditation videos, and tests to see your progress.
Online-therapy.com is an online platform where you can connect with licensed, experienced BPD therapists. The counselors on this platform mainly use Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to treat mental health conditions, including BPD.
Read our online-therapy.com review here.
5. Calmerry
Embark on a journey of mental wellness with Calmerry. With diverse subscription options, starting at just $50, Calmerry makes prioritizing your mental health simple and accessible. You can message your therapist any day or schedule a live therapy session from the comfort of your home from any device.
- Good for: Depression therapy, online grief counseling, anxiety therapy, therapy for OCD, self-esteem therapy.
- Location: Online therapy.
- Pricing: $49.50 to $73.75 per week (billed monthly).
- Features: Message to your counselor anytime, text therapy and video therapy according to the plan you choose, free counselor switching.
Calmerry offers online BPD therapy services through the platform. There you must answer a questionnaire to assess your needs and preferences and then match you with the right professional to address your concerns.
Read our comparison between Calmerry and BetterHelp here.
6. TalkSpace
Tailored to individuals, couples, teens, and offering psychiatry services, Talkspace plans kick off at a wallet-friendly $69 per week. What’s more, many health insurances also cover their services, enhancing accessibility and affordability. Complete a questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.
- Good for: Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, LGBTQIA+ therapy.
- Location: Online therapy.
- Pricing: Varies according to insurance coverage or self-pay options.
- Features: Accepts insurance, pick your therapist from a list of recommendations, live video sessions and unlimited messaging with your therapist, medication management.
TalkSpace is an online platform that offers different approaches to BPD treatment, including therapy and medication management. There you can choose your therapist from a list previously selected according to your individual needs.
Read our TalkSpace review here.
Online vs. In-person Therapy for BPD
You can get BPD therapy either online, or using in-person sessions with a BPD therapist.
Below, we’ve explained some key areas to consider when choosing whether to see a therapist in person or over the internet.
Methods of communication
Online BPD therapy offers a wider range of communication methods to connect with your therapist. You can access BPD therapy sessions on a mobile phone, laptop, or tablet.
On the other hand, you need to go to a therapist’s clinic if you want in-person BPD therapy. Sometimes, you might be able to find a therapist who you can see in person, who also provides the option of email therapy and phone calls as well. However, these types of therapists can be a bit harder to find.
Accessibility
Online platforms provide you with easy access to qualified BPD therapists even if you reside in a rural or remote area. On the other hand, if you’re looking for an in-person therapist, it might be hard to find a mental health professional near you who specializes in helping people with BPD, depending on where you live.
Using online therapy, you can access qualified counselors, no matter if you live outside of a major town or city.
Convenience
Getting BPD therapy using an online platform is more convenient for some people than traditional face-to-face sessions. With online counseling, you can get BPD therapy over any modern laptop or smartphone from the comfort of your own home.
Moreover, most online therapists have flexible scheduling compared to those who offer only in-person sessions. You might find it easier to schedule counseling sessions outside of business hours, with a therapist in another time zone for example.
Cost Differences
Generally, online platforms cost less than in-person therapists. Most online services that offer BPD therapy charge weekly or monthly, while in-person therapists charge according to the number of sessions. However, online therapy platforms are very rarely covered by health insurance providers, so if you have coverage, it may be cheaper to see a therapist in person.
Online platforms may offer special discounts if you are struggling financially, and some in-person therapists also offer sliding-scale pricing for those on lower incomes.
Your Personal Preference
Although online BPD therapy is very accessible and is more convenient for some than traditional in-person therapy, you may still prefer face-to-face BDP therapy if you’d feel more comfortable speaking with a therapist face-to-face.
Ultimately, what matters most is that you are able to open up to your counselor, and that you feel comfortable getting help from them. For some, you might find it easier to speak to a therapist online, including over text. However, for others, it might feel easier to get help face-to-face.
Severity of BPD Symptoms
If you are suffering from severe BPD symptoms, such as extreme mood swings, it’s often best to see a therapist in person, rather than over the internet.
Face-to-face, a therapist is able to provide a closer level of support, which is particularly important if you are suffering from severe BPD.
Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder
About 1.6% of the United States population struggles with the symptoms of BPD.
The exact cause of BPD is still unknown, but it may occur due to childhood trauma, genetic predisposition, or the improper functioning of hormones that regulate emotions.
The main symptoms of BPD include the following:
Extreme Mood Swings
With BPD, you may feel sad in one moment and suddenly be happy the next – your mood is prone to changing very quickly. And small things may easily affect your mood, for example, you might easily get angry as a result of a minor inconvenience. This sort of erratic behavior can be very stressful for you and your family.
Relationship Issues
Due to emotional instability and unpredictable behavior, you may start to face relationship issues. You may find it difficult to establish a friendship or relationship as a result of BPD.
Emotional instability can make you overreact in case of arguments with your partner, leading to the escalation of these conflicts, eventually poisoning the relationship.
Distorted Self-image
It can be hard for you to maintain a positive or accurate self-image if you have BPD. You may experience low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness with borderline personality disorder. Sometimes, this can lead to depression, which a therapist can help you work through.
Thoughts of Self-harm
In BPD, you may engage yourself in self-harming activities such as substance abuse, alcoholism, and cutting or scratching. Moreover, you can also experience suicidal thoughts if your BPD symptoms deteriorate.
If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please call the suicide prevention hotline immediately on 1-800-273-8255, or 911 in an emergency situation. And if you are struggling with cutting or scratching, it’s often best to see a therapist in person, rather than online, so that they can provide a closer level of support.
Fear of Abandonment
The fear of abandonment refers to the fear of being left alone. If your partner is busy and not giving you enough attention, coming home late from the office, or going on trips or vacations with friends, you may throw tantrums or engage in impulsive behavior.
You may try different means of changing your partner’s behaviors in such a situation. These may include fighting, begging, crying, or clutching your partner, which may lead to instability in the relationship.
Sense of Emptiness
With BPD, you may experience feelings of depression and emptiness that can make you feel like you mean nothing to anyone. You may possess an emotional emptiness inside you, which can make you feel extremely lonely.
To fill this emptiness, you may start adopting unhealthy behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse.
Types of Therapies Used to Treat BPD
BPD therapists use many different psychotherapies to treat the symptoms of borderline personality disorder.
Some of the therapies commonly used for BPD treatment are discussed below.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the main types of treatment for BPD as it can positively alter and reframe your negative thought patterns.
First, a therapist may identify and assess the main symptoms you’re facing. Next, your therapist will use cognitive restructuring to help you understand your distorted thoughts and self-image. You can try to change these negative thoughts and behaviors after coming to recognize them.
Lastly, a CBT therapist may help you set achievable goals for long and short-term emotional stability and behavioral change. Moreover, a therapist may combine your CBT sessions with skills training to help you manage negative thoughts and behaviors through breathing exercises and relaxation techniques.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
DBT can help you regulate emotional instability and anger outbursts, and help you to overcome low self-esteem. Through either individual or group DBT, a therapist helps you learn how to control your emotions and feelings.
Mindfulness is the main technique used by a BPD therapist during dialectical behavioral therapy. Using this technique, your therapist may ask you to focus on the present positive moments rather than negative past events. In doing so, you can be more in control of your thoughts and behaviors.
Furthermore, DBT therapy also focuses on developing interpersonal skills, such as communication skills. This can help you to more effectively communicate with your partner for example, if BPD is causing issues in your relationship.
Mentalization-based Therapy (MBT)
Mentalization refers to recognizing your mental state and its expression in the form of actions or reactions. MBT can help you understand your emotions, behavior, responses, and desires, and allow you to read the intentional behaviors of others.
In this type of therapy, your counselor may explore your past negative events to identify the origin of your negative behaviors. Cognitive modification can help you move from a low mental state to a more positive frame of mind.
Thus, MBT allows you to be more aware of your mental state, helping with emotional regulation and the management of impulsive behaviors.
Schema-focused Therapy
Schema-focused therapy is an integrative approach to treating BPD that involves CBT, psychoanalysis, emotion-focused therapy, and other psychotherapies. It can help you cope with negative thoughts that usually overpower you in BPD, such as fear of abandonment or being deceived, or feelings of emptiness.
Schema refers to the negative patterns you may have developed if your emotional needs weren’t met during childhood. In schema therapy, a therapist helps you learn how to fulfill your emotional needs in acceptable ways. Different psychotherapeutic approaches including emotive, interpersonal effectiveness, cognitive, and behavioral techniques are used to identify and overcome your childhood schemas.
How to Cope with BPD
Below, we’ve explained a few steps you can take on an individual level to minimize the severity of BPD symptoms.
Recognize and Divert Your Negative Emotions
It can be very helpful to recognize and label the emotions that may provoke you to behave aggressively.
As much as possible, live in the present moments and don’t focus on the past. Moreover, it can help if you accept that what you feel is not always happening in reality. You can also stimulate your senses to overcome the negative thoughts prevailing in your mind, even through simple activities like going for a walk.
For example, if you feel empty, activate your sense of taste by chewing some strong-flavored gum, or eating salt and vinegar chips. If you feel numb, activate your sense of touch by taking a bath in hot or cold water or holding ice cubes in your hands for a few seconds.
It may help if you listen to pleasant music to stimulate a sense of sound. Thus, when you feel low or if you are angry, try to listen to relaxing music to help calm down. Similarly, you can also take care of yourself by exercising regularly, reducing stress, and eating a balanced diet.
Learn to Control Your Impulsiveness
It can also help if you control your anger and your impulsiveness. When you feel distressed, try to stay calm, and don’t immediately react to every situation. Whenever you feel stressed, find a quiet place, sit in a corner or on a sofa, and take a few deep breaths.
Feel your internal emotions, focus on yourself, with your feet on the floor, and hands on your lap. Try to distract yourself from the situation by watching TV, using your mobile, or calling a friend. Such a technique may help you to ignore external triggers and give you more time to think about the best way to respond to what’s happened, rather than acting impulsively.
Enhance Your Interpersonal Abilities
Your negative behaviors can hurt the feelings of those close to you, and afterward, you may feel bad about this.
Such negative behaviors can be managed when you focus on your thoughts and understand your emotions. Try to learn to understand others’ intentions and perspectives as well as your internal thoughts. This can prove tricky for some people, but a therapist can help you with this. They can also help to teach you communication and listening skills, which can prove very useful for those with BPD.
Conclusion
BPD can seriously affect your life and make your relationships unstable, as you may exhibit extreme mood swings and aggressiveness.
Online psychotherapy can be highly effective in managing the symptoms of BPD. Using CBT, DBT, MBT, and schema-focused therapy, these therapists can help you overcome the symptoms of BPD and resolve the mental health issues that you’re experiencing.