STEPPS

What is the STEPPS program? STEPPS, Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving, is a manual-guided teaching program designed for those with emotional regulation issues such as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Participants learn about the behaviors and feelings that define BPD and learn several emotion management and behavioral skills to help manage the disorder. STEPPS can be offered as a group program but this therapist runs this as one-on-one sessions. 

People in this program learn how to communicate more effectively with those around them that are their support system, aka reinforcement team, about how their disorder presents and how best to help them. For everyone participating in STEPPS there is at least 1 educational session for members of their reinforcement team. 

STEPPS sessions are scheduled as weekly appointments. Attending a STEPPS session is a lot like a class and participants will need a binder or folder (not provided) to keep all their STEPPS work in. In session the therapist will review the lesson, read over the materials with you and ensure understanding of the material, and then the participant will receive a homework assignment due the next week. Besides the written homework STEPPS also includes poetry, artwork, songs, and relaxation activities.