Emotions Matter’s BPD Peer Online Support Group Program

Emotions Matter offers peer support groups for individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD).  The curriculum, developed by people with lived experience, emphasizes:

• Peer experience as a reference point for recovery

• Socialization in a safe judgment-free space with community support

• Solution-focused strategies, empowerment and problem-solving

Four Recovery Principles Act as Topics for the Sessions

Emotions Matter BPD Support Group Registration Information

Welcome to Emotions Matter!  Here is some registration information to help you get connected to our community.  Emotions Matter's BPD Support Groups are offered at no cost to the community. The group schedule varies based on the availability of our volunteers. We ask attendees to register for no more than 3 groups per month to allow others to participate. Each group has a maximum registration of 65 people.*  The first 30 people to join the waiting room will be admitted. Admission is on a first-come, first serve basis. Attendees should join the waiting room 5 minutes before the meeting begins.  Based on past attendance, we anticipate that everyone who registers will have access to support.  Approximately 50% of people who register for our free meetings attend on the day of the meeting. * This registration number is subject to change, based on feedback from our faciliators and community.

Questions or concerns? Please email us info@emotionsmatterbpd.org. We look forward to seeing you in our groups!

Group Structure & Format

Sessions are 75 minutes long, and divided into the following general sections.  Please note that times are approximate and vary for each group.

Pre-Group Survey (5 minutes)

Welcome and Introductions (10 minutes)

Disclaimers, Definitions, Community & Safety Guidelines (5 minutes)

Introduction of Recovery Principle & Peer Narrative about Principle (10 minutes)

Open Conversation and Discussion (40 minutes)

Closing Statements, Resources & Post-Group Survey (5 minutes)

Volunteer Peer Group Facilitators

Each group is co-facilitated by two volunteers with lived experience of borderline personality disorder.  For more information about volunteering, https://emotionsmatterbpd.org/peer-facilitators

Our volunteers lead as peers from the lens of lived experience.  They are not licensed heath care professionals and do not diagnose, counsel or give advice.  Groups are not a substitute for group therapy or professional consultation. 

Safety, Hospitality and Community Guidelines

Emotions Matter’s BPD Peer Support Groups intend to create a safe, welcoming space and support community for people impacted by BPD.  We do this in the following ways:

·      Waivers – Participants sign a waiver when registering for a group, acknowledging that they understand our groups are run by volunteers and are intended for peer support, not therapy.

·      Welcome & Hospitality – We send a welcome email upon group registration and practice intentional welcome during our meeting introductions, in which every person is invited to introduce themselves and where they are from, and share their preferred pronouns.

·      Community Guidelines – Group guidelines are ready at every meeting along with disclaimers to emphasize safety and inclusivity. https://emotionsmatterbpd.org/em-meeting-guidelines

Our Meeting Disclaimers:

·      BPD is a spectrum disorder.  Wherever you are on the journey, you are welcome.

·      Emotions Matter uses recovery language. Each person can define recovery in their own way.

·      We are here as peers with lived experience, not as medical experts or professionals.

The groups are a safe space to connect and learn from each other, encouraging positive models of recovery.

Testimonials:

What did you take away after attending our BPD Support Group?