A novel attachment-based service for young people with emerging personality disorder
Intended for healthcare professionals
Evidence & Practice    

A novel attachment-based service for young people with emerging personality disorder

Jon Knight Assistant psychologist, Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, personality disorder service, Somerset, England
Chris Gordon Operational services manager, Eating disorders and personality disorder service, Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Somerset, England
Ruth Habberfield Emerging personality disorder lead, Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Somerset, England
Liz Fawkes Head of psychological services, Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Somerset, England
Jane Yeandle Head of division, Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Somerset, England
Background

The profound clinical and financial consequences of severe personality disorders (PDs) that emerge during adolescence have been acknowledged for some time, yet few specialist services exist for these young people.

Aim

The emerging personality disorder (EPD) project was designed to improve quality of life for young people with EPD and reduce the overall life cost of supporting people with PDs.

Method

A relational recovery approach was adopted and the team worked within the principles of attachment theory to promote trusting relationships and person-centred care to a group of five people age 17-25 years.

Findings

The EPD project delivered financial benefits for the service and positive clinical outcomes for the young people which far exceeded initial projections.

Conclusion

The EPD model could be used as a template for a person-centred, responsive service for young people with significant emotional difficulties.

Mental Health Practice. doi: 10.7748/mhp.2018.e1212

Correspondence

jonathan.knight@sompar.nhs.uk

Peer review

This article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software

Conflict of interest

None declared

Received: 15 September 2016

Accepted: 13 September 2017

Published online: 01 February 2018

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