Who are the Best Trauma Counsellors in Calgary?
counselling for borderline personality disorder
4 Calgary Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) Counsellors [No Waitlist]
Living with BPD can feel like being on an emotional rollercoaster with no off switch: intense relationships, fear of abandonment, and overwhelming feelings that seem impossible to control. You deserve high-quality, nonjudgmental support from someone who truly understands.
At Shelly Qualtieri & Associates, our Calgary therapists specialise in evidence-based BPD treatment and are available now, so you don’t have to wait to get the care you’re looking for. Meet our team here to find the right fit and reach out when you’re ready to get started.
Jump to a therapist
Marizabel Forno: Good fit for athletes and adults seeking BPD-informed psychological assessment
Adrianna Rabeda-Kowalczak: Good fit for young adults struggling with big emotions
Lorena Koenig: Good fit for women in midlife managing BPD alongside chronic illness or hormonal changes
Puja Patel: Good fit for couples and individuals from South Asian backgrounds who have experienced trauma
If you’re not sure which therapist is right for you, contact us so we can help match you.
Meet Our Calgary BPD therapists
Marizabel Forno
Marizabel is one of the few Calgary psychologists who blends sports psychology and DBT therapy, making her an exceptional choice for athletes or high-performers whose BPD traits intersect with performance pressure, emotional dysregulation, or identity instability.
She also offers adult ADHD assessments, which frequently co-occur with BPD and are often missed in the diagnostic process. Her warm, person-centred approach helps clients build practical confidence and emotional resilience alongside a deeper understanding of how their brain works.
Credentials: Registered Psychologist
Specialty Areas: BPD, DBT, sports psychology, ADHD assessments, emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression
Adrianna Rabeda-Kowalczak
Adrianna specialises in DBT (the gold-standard, evidence-based therapy for BPD) and pairs it with a future-oriented, compassion-first approach that helps clients move beyond survival mode and toward a meaningful life. Young adults who feel stuck in cycles of intense emotion, unstable relationships, or low self-worth will find her direct yet kind therapeutic style especially grounding.
Plus, she is one of the few BPD treatment providers in the area offering therapy in both English and Polish, making her a uniquely accessible option for Calgary's Polish-speaking community seeking culturally sensitive mental health care.
Credentials: Registered Psychologist
Specialty Areas: DBT, anxiety & overthinking, depression & low motivation, life transitions, interpersonal & relationship issues
Lorena Koenig
Lorena is a Registered Social Worker with a specialised focus that is rarely found in one practitioner: she understands how BPD symptoms can intensify during perimenopause, chronic illness, and hormonal shifts, a connection that is often overlooked by other therapists.
Using DBT alongside trauma-informed and integrative approaches, she helps women untangle emotional dysregulation from the physical realities of their body, making treatment feel genuinely tailored rather than generic. She offers virtual sessions across both Alberta and Ontario, expanding access for clients outside of Calgary.
Credentials: MSW, RSW (registered in Alberta and Ontario)
Specialty Areas: DBT, emotional dysregulation, perimenopause mental health, chronic pain, trauma, body image & chronic dieting
Puja Patel
Puja brings a uniquely relational lens to BPD therapy, specialising in how early attachment wounds, narcissistic abuse, and family trauma shape the intense emotional patterns that define the disorder. Her training in DBT, Gottman Method, and trauma-informed care makes her well-suited for both individuals and couples where BPD is affecting the partnership dynamic.
She is also one of the few local BPD therapists offering culturally responsive care in English, Hindi, and Gujarati, making her an important resource for South Asian clients who may face additional barriers to accessing mental health support.
Credentials: RPC (CCC), Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario, CRPO
Specialty Areas: DBT, relational & childhood trauma, narcissistic abuse recovery, couples & premarital therapy, OCD, immigrant counselling, OCD, neurodiversity
What sets our practice apart from other Calgary borderline personality disorder treatment providers
Finding the right BPD therapist in Calgary is not just about credentials—it's about finding someone who truly gets it. Here's what makes Shelly Qualtieri & Associates different:
01 No waitlist
You can begin therapy right away, without months of uncertainty holding you back.
02 DBT-trained clinicians
Multiple therapists on our team are trained in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), the most rigorously researched treatment for BPD.
03 Specialised matching
We don't use a one-size-fits-all model. Each therapist has a distinct area of focus, so you're matched with someone who fits your specific situation.
04 Multilingual support
Sessions available in English, Polish, Hindi, and Gujarati.
05 evenings + weekends
We offer flexible scheduling so therapy fits into your life, not the other way around.
06 in person + virtual
Meet with your therapist in our Calgary office or online from anywhere in Alberta.
What to expect from the therapy process
1. Free 30-minute consultation
Your journey begins with a no-pressure, complimentary consultation where you can share what's been going on and ask any questions you have. This call helps us confirm that the therapist you've chosen is the right fit, and if not, we'll help you find someone who is.
2. Personalised assessment & goal-setting
In your first few sessions, your therapist will take time to understand your history, triggers, and what you most want to change. Together, you'll build a treatment plan that actually reflects your goals, not just a generic protocol.
3. Active, skills-based therapy sessions
Ongoing sessions focus on building practical skills in areas like emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness using evidence-based approaches such as DBT. You'll leave each session with real tools you can apply between appointments.
4. Ongoing progress review and adjustment
Therapy is not static. Your clinician will regularly check in on your progress, celebrate your wins, and adjust the approach as your needs evolve, ensuring that treatment always feels tailored to what you need.
FAQs about BPD therapy
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Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition characterised by intense emotional experiences, unstable relationships, and difficulty regulating reactions. Common symptoms include:
Intense fear of abandonment, real or imagined
Unstable and intense interpersonal relationships
Rapidly shifting self-image or sense of identity
Impulsive behaviours (e.g., spending, substance use, risky decisions)
Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
Extreme mood swings lasting hours to days
Chronic feelings of emptiness
Explosive or disproportionate anger
Dissociation or feelings of unreality under stress
If you recognise these patterns in yourself, know that BPD is treatable, and with the right support, recovery is possible.
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BPD can qualify as a disability under the Alberta Human Rights Act if it substantially limits a person's ability to work or engage in daily activities. Depending on your situation, you may qualify for a Disability Tax Credit due to your BPD. A formal diagnosis from a registered psychologist or psychiatrist is typically required, so we recommend speaking with your doctor or a disability advocate for personalised guidance.
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Studies show that therapy, particularly Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), is considered a highly effective treatment for BPD. It can help you develop skills to manage overwhelming emotions, improve communication in relationships, reduce self-destructive behaviours, and build a more stable sense of self. Many people with BPD experience significant improvement and go on to live deeply fulfilling lives with the right treatment.
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There's not just one best type of therapist for BPD. What matters most is that they are trained in evidence-based approaches like DBT, CBT, or Schema Therapy, and that they have direct experience working with people with BPD. Look for a registered psychologist, provisional psychologist, or a certified counsellor with demonstrated BPD experience.
It’s also important to make sure you feel comfortable with whichever therapist you choose, as a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust and mutual respect is also essential to meaningful progress.
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BPD remission means that symptoms have reduced to a level where they no longer significantly impair daily functioning or relationships. Remission often looks like greater emotional stability, healthier relationships, a more consistent sense of identity, and a marked reduction in impulsive or self-destructive behaviours.
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Many health benefit plans in Alberta cover therapy for BPD when provided by a registered psychologist, registered social worker, or certified counsellor. Coverage amounts and eligible credentials vary by provider, so we recommend checking your plan's mental health benefits before booking. Our administrative team is happy to help you understand what to ask your insurer.