Primary Clinician

The professional who will guide you during your quest for a better life is your primary, mental health clinician. Most often, the primary clinician is a psychiatrist, and is well-trained and experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of borderline disorder. The responsibilities of the primary clinician in the treatment of borderline disorder are:26

  • to educate you about the nature and causes of borderline disorder
  • to assure that all appropriate evaluations are performed in order to determine your specific treatment needs
  • to develop with you a comprehensive treatment plan that best meets these needs
  • to assure that the plan is implemented
  • to routinely determine your safety and progress in treatment
  • to implement changes in the treatment plan when indicated, and
  • to assure effective communication among other therapists and family involved in your treatment.
    Adapted from Gunderson JG1