A Trauma Informed Approach to Working with a Person with Personality Disorder in a Prison Setting

There's a lot of discussion about using a trauma informed approach to work with someone who has emotionally unstable personality disorder. This is what it looks like. Based on actual case studies and work undertaken with people in prisons (and filmed in a prison) this educational film shows the difference taking a trauma informed approach can make, not just to the prisoner/patient but also the staff engaged in the work. Though the film is set in a prison, the therapeutic techniques - as well as the problems a team can encounter when not using this approach - are applicable to many other clinical settings and it's been used in training staff in mental health units and Emergency Departments. It highlights a range of techniques that can be used, even in short, opportunistic contacts with the person, as well as in ongoing sessions. We also highlight the overall themes to an effective therapeutic approach in a piece specially added at the end. Most importantly, it shows graphically the impact of past trauma on current behaviour and the complexities of working with someone with emotionally unstable personality disorder, while hopefully offering insight into the experiences and pain that lie behind the diagnosis. Please note: the film does contain references to self harm, suicide and violence.