DBT Clinical Case: Complex Trauma With BPD Symptoms

United States Department of Homeland Security

The clinical case vignette the severe trauma experienced by a young girl, highlighting her coping mechanisms through poetry and the need for specific DBT skills to address symptoms of PTSD and complex trauma.
The client’s background reveals a history of severe physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, including being trafficked by her father, leading to complex PTSD symptoms such as dissociation, self-blame, and suicidal ideation.
Despite the trauma, the client’s resilience is evident in her use of creative expression through poetry, which provides insights into her internal experiences and symptoms, offering a therapeutic avenue for intervention and support.