Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a serious mental health condition that often co-occurs with Complex PTSD (CPTSD), making treatment more challenging. Trauma-Focused Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT-TF) is a new adaptation of standard MBT designed for individuals with high trauma exposure. Early findings are promising, but further research is needed. This study at Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) will test the feasibility and acceptability of MBT-TF compared with standard MBT, gathering feedback from patients and clinicians and laying the groundwork for a larger clinical trial.
Age between 18 and 65 years.
Meeting ≥4 of 9 SCID-5 PD criteria associated with functional impairment (either subthreshold or full BPD diagnosis), and an LPFS-BF 2.0 score ≥31 (≥1.5 standard deviations above the latent mean, T-score ≥65), indicating moderate to severe personality disorder features.
Diagnosis of CPTSD according to ICD-11 criteria, confirmed via ITQ with clinical checks.
Mental disability.
Severe psychiatric psychopathology requiring immediate treatment (e.g., BMI <16.5, acute bipolar episode, current psychosis).
Severe active substance dependence.
Severe physical health problems (e.g., severe cardiovascular conditions). Severe neurological disorder.
Eva Rüfenacht
Lead sponsor
University Hospital, Geneva
Sponsor institution