STEPPS

Service Description

The STEPPS program is taught in a group setting (however, can be available on an individual basis, as needed). Participants learn about emotion regulation and Borderline Personality Disorder/Emotional Intensity Disorder, as well as learning a variety of emotion management and behavioral skills. You will learn a new “language” to use in thinking about the disorders & when communicating about your disorder with others in your “reinforcement team” —made up of people with whom you will share information about your disorder and what you are learning in the program (health care professionals, family members, significant others, & close friends). As part of the STEPPS program, we provide at least one evening education session for those you identify as part of your reinforcement team. STEPPS focuses on the present, rather than what may have happened in the past. You cannot change the past, but you can use the skills you learn in this program to make the present and the future a more positive experience. You will work on changing some of the ways you think about yourself, the world, and other people. You will also work on specific lifestyle behaviors such as eating, sleep patterns, exercise, leisure activities, physical health, and relationships. Attending a STEPPS group is similar to attending a class. The group leader(s) will be the teacher and you and the others in the group will be students. You will be given an outline of the lesson & workbook materials each week. Homework assignments are to be completed before the next class. After the first few classes, group members are invited to volunteer to help with some of the teaching activities within the class, if they are comfortable doing this. — In addition to the written materials that you receive, the lessons also utilize songs, poetry, art activities, and relaxation exercises. If you have a special talent for writing poems or creating artwork, you may enjoy sharing this with the group when it fits into the material being discussed. You will see examples of poems and pictures contributed by previous STEPPS participants. If you are currently working with an individual therapist, you are strongly encouraged to take your STEPPS notebook to your individual therapy sessions & ask your therapist to help reinforce what you are learning in the STEPPS program. After you complete the 20 weeks, some people repeat the STEPPS program one more time, and some attend a bi-weekly aftercare group, STAIRWAYS.