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 Chicknesshttps://systemstherapy.org/Connect with boy meets therapy:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@boymeetstherapy⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠@boymeetstherapy⁠⁠⁠Website with Free Resources: ⁠⁠⁠boymeetstherapy.comEpisode Guide & Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Borderline Personality Disorder03:02 Karley's Background and Journey into Counseling05:55 Early Career Experiences and Specializations08:35 Understanding Substance Use and Co-occurring Conditions11:26 The Role of Trauma in Mental Health14:17 Defining Borderline Personality Disorder17:24 Dialectical Behavior Therapy Explained20:17 The Impact of Trauma on BPD22:35 Emotional Dysregulation in BPD23:34 Understanding Emotional Intensity in BPD26:15 The Role of DBT in Treatment29:36 Modeling Secure Relationships34:25 Active Passivity and Communication Challenges35:05 Substance Use and BPD Treatment38:47 Assessing Risks and Treatment Approaches42:30 Internal Experience of BPD44:37 Challenges in Treating BPD47:15 Success Stories in BPD Recovery50:06 Reflections on Being a TherapistCreated and Produced by Dustin Oliver