Implementing a Therapy for Complex Trauma in French-Speaking Settings

NCT ID: NCT07123974

Last Updated: 2025-08-14

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 15 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-01-22
• Study Completion Date: 2025-05-01

Brief Summary

Many individuals living with borderline personality disorder (BPD) have experienced childhood trauma, such as abuse or neglect. A significant number of them also meet the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, standard psychotherapies often do not address both conditions at the same time, which can affect treatment outcomes.

A research team in Germany developed and validated a 45-week individual psychotherapy that has shown promising results for individuals coping with both BPD and PTSD. It has already been adapted and offered in English-speaking settings such as Toronto and Boston.

This study aims to adapt this therapy into French in Quebec. Over 24 months, we will conduct a mixed-methods observational study to evaluate changes in symptoms (BPD, PTSD, and other comorbidities) and in daily functioning.

Conditions

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD); Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD); Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NA
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (DBT-PTSD)

Participants receive the Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (DBT-PTSD) psychotherapy over 45 weekly individual outpatient sessions. All participants followed the same treatment protocol.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (DBT-PTSD)

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

DBT-PTSD is 45-week individual psychotherapy (DBT-PTSD) designed to treat adults presenting with both borderline personality disorder (BPD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD). The intervention integrates dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills, trauma-focused exposure-based interventions, and strategies from compassion-focused therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy. All participants will receive the full sequence of the therapy in outpatient settings, following the structured treatment protocol.

Interventions

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (DBT-PTSD)

DBT-PTSD is 45-week individual psychotherapy (DBT-PTSD) designed to treat adults presenting with both borderline personality disorder (BPD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD). The intervention integrates dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills, trauma-focused exposure-based interventions, and strategies from compassion-focused therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy. All participants will receive the full sequence of the therapy in outpatient settings, following the structured treatment protocol.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• PTSD according to the DSM caused by sexual or physical abuse up to the age of 18.
• Three or more criteria for borderline personality disorder (BPD) according to the SCID-II, including affective instability.
• Availability for one year of outpatient treatment (psychotherapy).
• Access to an email address usable for secure links to questionnaires.
• Fluent French-speaking.

Exclusion Criteria

• Psychotic disorder, bipolar I disorder, intellectual disability, or severe psychopathology requiring immediate care as determined by the treating psychiatrist.
• Severe suicide attempt within two months prior to the inclusion visit.
• Medical condition preventing inclusion (e.g., pregnancy).
• Highly unstable living situation (e.g., homelessness).
• Current substance dependence.
• Having received specific treatment for PTSD or BPD within the year preceding the inclusion visit.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Ciusss de L'Est de l'Île de Montréal

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Lionel Cailhol

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Ciusss de l'Est de Montréal, Université de Montréal

Locations

Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Countries

Canada

Other Identifiers

2023-3031

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id