availability-icon

Offered in-person & online

Our therapists offer Borderline Personality Disorder Counseling in Alexandria, VA

Get in-person or online care, and cover the majority of the costs with your insurance.

Connect with a therapist, psychiatrist or counselor near you
Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

4,547 people sought borderline personality disorder counseling help in Virginia in the last year

Discover how starting borderline personality disorder counseling can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 129 therapists in Virginia available for an online or in-person session.

Starting Borderline personality disorder counseling

What is Borderline personality disorder counseling?

Borderline personality disorder counseling in Alexandria, VA is the main form of treatment for borderline personality disorder. It teaches individuals skills that enable them to better manage and cope with their symptoms.

How does Borderline personality disorder counseling work?

Borderline personality disorder counseling at Thriveworks is personalized to each individual. Depending on your unique needs, it can help you learn to manage uncomfortable feelings, reduce impulsivity, and improve relationships (which might otherwise be negatively affected by your condition).

Is Borderline personality disorder counseling conducted in person or online?

Borderline personality disorder counseling with our Thriveworks Alexandria therapists can be conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does Borderline personality disorder counseling last?

The length of borderline personality disorder counseling sessions will vary from one person to the next, dependent on their specific needs. However, most treatments for borderline personality disorder last for 1-3 years.

Need more help deciding?

Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment in Alexandria, VA (Franconia)—Counselors and Therapists

Thriveworks Alexandria, VA (Franconia) has worked with many clients who are struggling with BPD, and we have helped them manage their symptoms and thrive.

Borderline Personality Disorder—Signs and Symptoms

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) groups ten mental illnesses under the category of personality disorder. Each of these ten can produce maladaptive behaviors in people—that is, the disorders’ signs and symptoms are behaviors, feelings, and attitudes that make life harder. Each personality disorder has a unique characteristic, and BPD’s is volatility. People with Borderline Personality Disorder often experience unstable emotions, identities, and relationships.

Common symptoms include:

  • A history of broken relationships that often begin with idealization of the other person and end with a vilification of them.
  • A deep fear of separation or abandonment, and the ability to take extremes to avoid them.
  • An ability to alter one’s identity, values, and goal easily.
  • A severe sensitivity to receiving any kind of rejection or criticism (even healthy kinds, like constructive criticism).
  • Impulsive and risky behaviors that are potentially dangerous and harmful: gambling, unsafe sex, daredevil driving, self-sabotage, binge eating, spending sprees, drug use, and more.
  • An attempted or the threat of attempting suicide or self-harm (especially as a response to fear, criticism, or rejection).
  • Vacillating between extreme feelings: anxiety and euphoria, irritability and happiness, et cetera.
  • Belligerence, outbursts of anger, bitterness, sarcasm, and more.
  • An on-going feeling of emptiness.

BPD Risk Factors and Development

Just over 1 percent of the US population is affected by Borderline Personality Disorder. It is not completely clear what causes BPD, but mental health professionals have identified certain environmental, genetic, physical, and social factors that can raise an individual’s risk. These include…

  • Loss of a caregiver as a child.
  • A history of childhood trauma (particularly emotional, sexual, or physical abuse by a caregiver).
  • A genetic history of mental illness, in particular BPD.
  • A reduced hippocampus size (region of the brain that manages emotion and stress responses).

Treatment Options for BPD

There are many different ways to treat Borderline Personality Disorder. Skilled therapists can often help people find the right option for them, but often, that treatment plan include a type of therapy called dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). This therapy was developed specifically to treat BPD, and it has proven so effective, that it is often used to treat other disorders as well. It’s healing techniques focus upon skills such as…

  • Emotional regulation – helps individuals respond to difficult feelings by processing them in a healthy way so that the emotions do not overwhelming them or dictate them.
  • Distress tolerance – emphasizes how life is full of ups and downs, successes and setbacks, highs and lows. Distress tolerance teaches people how to handle the more difficult parts of life with resiliency.
  • Mindfulness – seeks to increase self-awareness. Sometimes, people do not know what their body is sensing or what they are thinking or how they are feeling. Mindfulness is the art of paying attention to those things without judgment and without fear.
  • Interpersonal effectiveness – relationships are important for all of life, and interpersonal effectiveness skills help people cultivate successful relationships in a wide variety of contexts—at home, at the office, in the community, and more.

Appointments at Thriveworks Alexandria (Franconia) for Borderline Personality Disorder

When you contact our office, a real person (one of our scheduling specialists) will answer and help you make an appointment. New clients often meet with their counselor the week following their first call.
Weekend and evening sessions are offered, and we accept many different insurance plans. Call today.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Alexandria therapists and counselors accept 25 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

Show more
Self-pay costs at Alexandria
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.9 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
I was very satisfied with first session/consultation with my therapist. I feel confident she will address my needs and look forward to working with her.
Read more I was very satisfied with first session/consultation with my therapist. I feel confident she will address my needs and look forward to working with her.
Marjorie Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
At 75 years old and still learning is wonderful. My counselor is simply an outstanding individual and human being. The "bank is closed", I understand more clearly by my counselor who, have been instrumental in " breaking down some walls" in my forward motion and healing from the pain
Read more At 75 years old and still learning is wonderful. My counselor is simply an outstanding individual and human being. The "bank is closed", I understand more clearly by my counselor who, have been instrumental in " breaking down some walls" in my forward motion and healing from the pain
Horace Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Bank closure is fundamentally when a financial institution goes bankrupt; however, parents can't go into bank closure for their children, family, and friends. Nevertheless, parents do close their bank (hearth) to minimize disrespect, abuse, and abundant misuse of LOVE. So I closed my life to abuse, disrespect, and misuse of ❤️
Read more Bank closure is fundamentally when a financial institution goes bankrupt; however, parents can't go into bank closure for their children, family, and friends. Nevertheless, parents do close their bank (hearth) to minimize disrespect, abuse, and abundant misuse of LOVE. So I closed my life to abuse, disrespect, and misuse of ❤️
Horace Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★
I am very happy with my therapist, I would give him 5 Stars but I am handicapped and the facility I go to has No Handicap access, No ramp or elevator and is on the third floor of a three story building.
Read more I am very happy with my therapist, I would give him 5 Stars but I am handicapped and the facility I go to has No Handicap access, No ramp or elevator and is on the third floor of a three story building.
Ed Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My therapist, Dee Jacobi Edwards, continues to help me deal with my individual struggles in life so that I can achieve peace in dealing with life situations. She is a wonderful therapist.
Read more My therapist, Dee Jacobi Edwards, continues to help me deal with my individual struggles in life so that I can achieve peace in dealing with life situations. She is a wonderful therapist.
Louisa Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★
Love our therapist.
Heidi Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My daughter's dad and I had a few sessions with Dee Jacobi-Edwards and she was great. She was very neutral and honest with both of us when it came to our disagreements and downfalls. She was also extremely patient with us throughout our sessions. I would absolutely recommend Dee.
Read more My daughter's dad and I had a few sessions with Dee Jacobi-Edwards and she was great. She was very neutral and honest with both of us when it came to our disagreements and downfalls. She was also extremely patient with us throughout our sessions. I would absolutely recommend Dee.
Alexandria Mar 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I have been battling anxiety and depression for years, and Mary Alice Fields has helped me finally find some relief. She is dedicated to helping her clients live their best possible life, and she has helped me gain some peace in my life. I know she has help countless others, and I would highly recommend her to anyone who suffers from depression or anxiety issues.
Read more I have been battling anxiety and depression for years, and Mary Alice Fields has helped me finally find some relief. She is dedicated to helping her clients live their best possible life, and she has helped me gain some peace in my life. I know she has help countless others, and I would highly recommend her to anyone who suffers from depression or anxiety issues.
Alexandria Jan 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Alexandria is located off of Franconia Rd., just behind Oak Tree Plaza. We share a building with MRM Associates. Right next door to us is a MakeSpace, and the closest bus stop is at Franconia Rd. & Beulah St.

Phone number

(703) 454-8246

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • Portuguese
  • English
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

7 photos