boy meets therapy Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder: DBT, Trauma, and Substance Use Recovery with Karley Chickness
In this episode, Dustin Oliver sits down with Karley, a therapist who specializes in treating Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and co-occurring substance use disorders. Together, they explore the complex relationship between emotional dysregulation, trauma, and addiction, highlighting how Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers hope and structure for individuals navigating these challenges.
Karley shares her journey into the counseling field, the realities of working with high-acuity clients, and the importance of compassion and boundaries in clinical work. This conversation offers valuable insights for therapists, students, and anyone curious about the inner world of BPD, the path to recovery, and how therapy can help rebuild lives.
Connect with Karley Chickness
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Instagram: @boymeetstherapy
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Website with Free Resources: boymeetstherapy.com
Episode Guide & Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Borderline Personality Disorder
03:02 Karley's Background and Journey into Counseling
05:55 Early Career Experiences and Specializations
08:35 Understanding Substance Use and Co-occurring Conditions
11:26 The Role of Trauma in Mental Health
14:17 Defining Borderline Personality Disorder
17:24 Dialectical Behavior Therapy Explained
20:17 The Impact of Trauma on BPD
22:35 Emotional Dysregulation in BPD
23:34 Understanding Emotional Intensity in BPD
26:15 The Role of DBT in Treatment
29:36 Modeling Secure Relationships
34:25 Active Passivity and Communication Challenges
35:05 Substance Use and BPD Treatment
38:47 Assessing Risks and Treatment Approaches
42:30 Internal Experience of BPD
44:37 Challenges in Treating BPD
47:15 Success Stories in BPD Recovery
50:06 Reflections on Being a Therapist
Created and Produced by Dustin Oliver