Beginning in January 2019, I began a twenty-week a therapy program called Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving, or STEPPS. Each week I undertook a seven-hour round trip, generally with an overnight stay, to attend a session that lasted between one and half to two hours. During this time, life happened: a relationship breakup, a psychotic breakdown and a personal breakthrough. By meeting some very intelligent, interesting and courageous people, I realised I was not alone.
The following five blog posts condense my experience of the therapy program and uses my life as a case study. Through the blog, I hope to take a client-focused perspective of STEPPS, including my sometimes negative outlook, to allow course leaders a better understanding of what is happening in the hearts of those attending.
Finally, I designed the following resources to aid my progress during STEPPS therapy and to explain the program in this blog. These resources are not sanctioned by the STEPPS developers, but do integrate with the program. You can find the resources below.
Finally, I designed the following resources to aid my progress during STEPPS therapy and to explain the program in this blog. These resources are not sanctioned by the STEPPS developers, but do integrate with the program. You can find the resources below.
BPD Symptoms
The following PDF contains mind maps for each category of BPD Difficulties/Symptoms: Personality Dysfunction, Relationship Problems, Risk Taking, Negative Emotions and Psychotic Symptoms. Useful as a handout, or to learn how the disorder may affect you.
This resource is linked with Week 1 of the STEPPS therapy program, and blog post, STEPPS 2.
The following PDF contains mind maps for each category of BPD Difficulties/Symptoms: Personality Dysfunction, Relationship Problems, Risk Taking, Negative Emotions and Psychotic Symptoms. Useful as a handout, or to learn how the disorder may affect you.
This resource is linked with Week 1 of the STEPPS therapy program, and blog post, STEPPS 2.
| bpd_symptoms.pdf |
Filters / Beliefs
The flashcards will help you learn the ten filters and the beliefs associated with them. The handouts help explain what Filters are and how they work.
These resources are linked with Week 2 of the STEPPS therapy program, and blog post, STEPPS 3.
The flashcards will help you learn the ten filters and the beliefs associated with them. The handouts help explain what Filters are and how they work.
These resources are linked with Week 2 of the STEPPS therapy program, and blog post, STEPPS 3.
| filter-belief-flash-cards.pdf |
| abandonment_filter_handouts.pdf |
Labelling Emotions
The Label Emotions Sheet will help you identify your emotions and by labelling them, manage them. This resources is linked with week 4 of the STEPPS therapy program, and blog post, STEPPS 4.
The Label Emotions Sheet will help you identify your emotions and by labelling them, manage them. This resources is linked with week 4 of the STEPPS therapy program, and blog post, STEPPS 4.
| label_emotions_sheet.pdf |
Distorted Thoughts
The flashcards will help you learn the eighteen Distorted Thoughts listed in the STEPPS program. This resources is linked with week 6 of the STEPPS therapy program, and blog post, STEPPS 4.
The flashcards will help you learn the eighteen Distorted Thoughts listed in the STEPPS program. This resources is linked with week 6 of the STEPPS therapy program, and blog post, STEPPS 4.
| distorted_thoughts_-_flash_cards.pdf |
Homework Sheets
As the weeks progress, the homework in STEPPS can become overwhelming. This PDF is designed to allow you to complete the homework in 15-20 minutes each day. This resources is linked with weeks 1-20 of the STEPPS therapy program, and blog post, STEPPS 5. It includes the Labelling Emotions sheet above.
For the first few weeks, you will only need to fill in the first few sections. As the STEPPS therapy progresses, your homework will expand. Fill in the appropriate sections as therapy progresses.
As the weeks progress, the homework in STEPPS can become overwhelming. This PDF is designed to allow you to complete the homework in 15-20 minutes each day. This resources is linked with weeks 1-20 of the STEPPS therapy program, and blog post, STEPPS 5. It includes the Labelling Emotions sheet above.
For the first few weeks, you will only need to fill in the first few sections. As the STEPPS therapy progresses, your homework will expand. Fill in the appropriate sections as therapy progresses.
| stepps_homework.pdf |
Case Study
Read the autobiographical novel, Deadweight, as a case study. Highlight sections that illustrate the symptoms, unhelpful filters and distorted thoughts discussed throughout the following STEPPS Therapy posts, and during therapy.
Read the autobiographical novel, Deadweight, as a case study. Highlight sections that illustrate the symptoms, unhelpful filters and distorted thoughts discussed throughout the following STEPPS Therapy posts, and during therapy.
