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©Family Connections Program
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©Family CONNECTIONS is a research-based1, manualized
12-week course for family members with a relative
with borderline personality disorder (BPD), or
symptoms of the disorder. Developed by Dr. Alan
Fruzzetti and Dr. Perry Hoffman, the program seeks
to provide the most current information and research
on BPD, to teach coping skills based on Dialectical
Behavior Therapy (DBT) and to develop a support
network.
Modeled after Family-to-Family, Family Connections
classes are led by family members trained during a
weekend training retreat. The effort of Family
Connections is coordinated by the National Education
Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder
(NEA-BPD); with preliminary research supported by
the National Institute of Mental Health. Data
documents that family members experience a decrease
in depression, burden, grief and an increase in
empowerment.
The course is available in many locations across the
country. Participants and NEA-BPD supporters are
invited to give a donation to the organization to
help support the growth of Family Connections.
Suggested donation is $50 or more if possible.
Family Connections
includes:
- Education on BPD
- Research on BPD
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Skills training based on Dialectical Behavior
Therapy (DBT) in the context of a supportive
group environment.
- The information presented
is based on effective treatment theories and
practices, and the latest research findings to
provide the foundation for a better
understanding of this complex disorder.
- For
parents, spouses, children, and siblings of
someone with borderline personality disorder.
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based on effective treatment theories and
practices, and the latest research findings to
provide the foundation for a better
understanding of this complex disorder.
- To help participants obtain the latest
knowledge and to develop skills for their own
well-being.
- An adaptation of a decade of
professionally-led Dialectical Behavior Therapy
family groups, these institution-based programs
are now brought into the community and are led
by trained family members.
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Course Content - Topics Addressed Include: |
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Education on BPD |
Emotion Regulation Skills |
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Research on BPD |
Effective Communication Skills |
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Family Perspectives and Experiences |
Validation Skills |
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Relationship Mindfulness Skills |
Problem
Management Skills |
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Published Articles About Family
Connections
Perry D.
Hoffman, Ph.D., Alan E. Fruzzetti, Ph.D., Ellie Buteau, Ph.D., Emily
R. Neiditch, Dixianne Penney, Dr.P.H., Martha L. Bruce, Ph.D., MPH,
Frederic Hellman, Elmer Struening, Ph.D. (2005).
Family Connections: A Program for Relatives of
Persons with Borderline Personality Disorder. Family Process,
44, 217-225. Rajalin, M.,
Wickholm-Pethrus, L., Hursti, T., & Jokinen, J. (2009).
Dialectical behavior therapy-based skills
training for family members of suicide attempters. Archives of
Suicide Research, 13, 257-263.
Hoffman, P. D., Fruzzetti,
A. E., & Buteau, E. (2007).
Understanding and engaging families: An education, skills and support program
for relatives impacted by Borderline Personality Disorder. Journal of Mental
Health, 16(1): 69–82.
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Family "Tele"-CONNECTIONS (TLC)
We now offer a new option for
participating in a ©Family Connections program especially designed
for those who are not in locations where the original Connections
program is available. Family members from across the country can be
organized as a virtual class group and can "meet" for the course
weekly via teleconference for this new option known as our
TeleConnections (TLC) class. Email and a online discussion group
offers additional opportunities to network between classes.
We hope that in the future, this TeleConnections option will
increase the number of family members who can access the benefits
offered by the Family Connections program.
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Learn More
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"The Sharing of
Experience: Family Connections" Read a first hand description of the Family Connections course recently
published in Recovery Today. |
Family Matters
Listen to this 15-20 minute MP3 audio recording as Perry Hoffman, PhD explains the difficulties faced
by family members who have a loved one with BPD, how the Family Connections program
can be of benefit, research about the
program, etc.
Listen
Download
Watch as a flash
video - the same presentation with both audio and PPT
presentation slides. Runs about 30 minutes.
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Is this for You?
©Family Connections is offered in cities around the country as
volunteer leaders become available. For those located in areas where
the course is not currently offered, the TeleConnections program is
a possible alternative. The demand is great however, and there is
now a waiting list for both classes. If you think you might like to
participate, we ask that you complete our online
Pre-Registration Form.
Should a suitable class become available, you will be contacted
personally. All information submitted is confidential.
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