What is the Family Connections™ Program?

Family Connections™ is a free, evidence-based, 12-session course that meets in person for 2 hours and requires 1-2 hours of homework/practice weekly. It provides education, skills training, and support for people who have a relationship with a person with borderline personality disorder (BPD)/Emotion Dysregulation (ED) or BPD/ED traits.

Please note: Due to the pandemic, all courses are meeting virtually.  Please see “Family Connections Virtual” below.

What is Family Connections™ Virtual?

NEABPD also offers a virtual option for families living far from Family Connections™ meeting locations or for those who prefer to take the course online. Due to Covid-19, ALL courses are being held virtually. The Family Connections™ Virtual (FCV) course allows participants to meet weekly for the 12-class course via Zoom video conferencing

What You’ll Gain

Family Connections™ is based on research funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. Survey data from previous courses show that after completing the course, family members experience decreased feelings of depression, burden, and grief, and more feelings of empowerment.

The Family Connections™ program includes:

Education on BPD/ED treatments and the latest research findings .

Relationship skills based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help support your person with BPD/ED with compassion and empathy.

Support from course leaders and other participants who also have a relationship with a person with BPD/ED.

Suggestions for taking care of yourself and managing your stress.

Effective communication techniques to promote problem collaboration and/or solving.

Details of the Program

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Commitment

We ask for a commitment to participate in at least 10 of 12 classes. Skills build on the previous week’s so it is important to only commit to the course if you can participate in at least 10 classes. You can request another course that better fits your schedule when you reply to our enrollment email.
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Individual Applications

Each person who wishes to enroll must apply individually, including spouses and/or any member in the same household or family. This is required regardless of whether you plan to use the same computer or device.
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Apply Once

Please only apply once with your preferred email address that you check most often. Only one application per person will be accepted.
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Age Requirement

The course is designed for adults 18 years of age and older.

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Enrollment

You will be offered one course via email with the subject line: Reply Required– Family Connections™ Course. Add fc@neabpd.org to your contacts and check your SPAM folder often for the email.
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Respond to Enrollment Email

You must respond to the enrollment email via the form provided even if you do not want to enroll in the course offered. Please add fc@neabpd.org to your contacts and check you spam folder for the email. YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE INACTIVATED IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND.

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Wait Times

Demand for our course is very high so wait times vary from several weeks to months. We make every effort to offer you a course as soon as one is available.
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Course Dates and Times

We do not have set days and times. We have multiple courses starting every month at various times and days in all US time zones.
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BPD Diagnosis Not Required

Many of those that suffer emotion dysregulation and exhibit BPD traits often are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. An official diagnosis is not a requirement to apply for our course.
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Applying for Spouse or Another Family Member

An application is for one participant only. Each person must apply individually with their own email address and specify that they would like to be in a course with you. This is required regardless of whether you reside at the same address or will use the same computer.

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Taking the Course with my BPD Loved One

Family Connections™ is not intended for people suffering with BPD. The program was designed for family members of someone with BPD and/or significant emotion dysregulation and related problems.

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While Waiting for a Course

You may find it helpful to browse the Home Page, Family Guidelines, Family Education Workshops Videos, and Resources sections of our website. There are recent Webinars that feature skills taught in the Family Connections™ Course as well. The NEA BPD website has the largest video library specific to BPD in the world.

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NOT FOR THE TREATMENT OF BPD SUFFERERS

The program is designed for people that are supporting someone with BPD traits, BPD and/or significant emotion dysregulation and related problems. It is not for the treatment of BPD sufferers themselves. Please visit our Recovery and Treatment Resources page.
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Course Cost

No one is ever charged a fee to take a Family Connections™ course. NEABPD IS A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that relies on volunteers and donations to continue it mission. A donation of $60 per participant is suggested. Click here to donate to NEABPD Family Connections™.

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Covid-19

All Family Connections™ Courses will continue being held virtually via Zoom video conferencing until further notice.

If you think a Family Connections™ Course is right for you and you can commit to attending at least 10 classes, please complete our online application. All personal information submitted is confidential and we will never send any information to you via the US mail.

Please add this email address to your contact list so you are sure to get our communications: fc@neabpd.org.

Please only apply once. Duplicate applications will be deleted.

Family Connections™ Application

Questions?

Email fc@neabpd.org

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