We provide a specialist psychologically informed personality disorder pathway across three living areas; from Severn, for assessment and stabilisation, through to Avon, where service users move to as they engage and progress with their treatment pathway; and finally Coln, for a focus on community transition.

Our approach

At Cygnet Alders Clinic we adopt an integrated modular approach to treatment for women with a diagnosis of personality disorder, accounting for diagnostic differences, NICE guidelines and the work of Livesley (2004).

Through this eclectic approach, and with a focus on the importance of therapeutic relationships, we deliver an integrated combination of pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic interventions. The aim is to address the core features of personality disorder: problems with emotional regulation, interpersonal functioning, and self-identity and to prepare the women in our care for a transition to life in the community.

Therapeutic interventions and psychological formulations are tailored to individual need and utilise techniques drawn from major therapeutic orientations such as:

• DBT
• CBT
• CFT
• MBT
• Schema Therapy

Our pathway

Service user profile

• Female, aged 18+
• Complex mental health needs, challenging behaviours and a primary or secondary diagnosis of personality disorder
• Subject to a section of the Mental Health Act
• May have a history of substance misuse or dependency
• May have experienced regular placement breakdowns
• Sustained relational and social functioning problems
• Forensic or non-forensic history
• Capacity to engage
• Referrals accepted from Tiers 1-4