Families and Carers Training and Support Programme (FACTS)

About the Families and Carers Training and Support Programme (FACTS)

The Families and Carers Training and Support Programme (FACTS) is a short course designed to support the friends and families of people with ‘Borderline Personality Disorder’ (BPD) or Emerging / Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD).

We recognise that the terms BPD and EUPD can be disliked and experienced as stigmatising. In some mental health services, particularly those supporting younger people, alternative terms may be used, such as Complex Emotional Needs, Emotional Dysregulation with Impulsivity, or BPD traits.

The FACTS programme brings together people who are supporting someone with similar mental health difficulties. The person they support may have a diagnosis, may not be receiving support from mental health services, or may have been told that it is too early for a formal diagnosis.

Despite the concerns around terminology, we use the shorthand terms BPD and EUPD as these are commonly recognised and help carers and families find the programme.

To receive updates on FACTS courses, the ‘Harrow’ Rethink BPD Carers Support group or for more information about becoming a FACTS leader, please email the FACTS Steering Group.

If you are interested in one of the Anna Freud MBT/SCM trainings but no dates are available, please complete this expression of interest form. Once dates become available, we will contact you with more information and a booking link.

Why FACTS matters

Living with, or caring for, someone with BPD/EUPD can be challenging. Families and friends often struggle to cope with their own emotions and can feel disempowered or unsure how best to help their loved one.

Support and advice for carers are often limited, and when available, can feel confusing or unhelpful. FACTS aims to improve family and carer wellbeing and to teach practical skills to help carers feel more confident and supported.

Overview and history of FACTS

FACTS was developed at Anna Freud in response to a request from a carer seeking better support for families of people with BPD/EUPD. The programme was inspired by the book Overcoming Borderline Personality Disorder: A Family Guide to Healing and Change by Valerie Porr, founder of the New York-based organisation TARA4BPD (Treatment and Research Advancements National Association for Personality Disorder).

In her work, Valerie Porr focuses on effective coping strategies and interpersonal skills that reduce family conflict and help rebuild trust.

Professor Anthony Bateman, a leading expert in BPD at Anna Freud, worked alongside two carers from Harrow to develop FACTS. Together, they created an evidence-based course, led by trained carers with lived experience, to support families and friends to manage their own feelings, understand BPD/EUPD, and better support their loved one.

The results and impact from a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of FACTS conducted at Anna Freud are shown below.

A key strength of FACTS is that it is delivered by carers with lived experience of supporting someone with BPD/EUPD. This approach helps participants learn practical communication skills, rebuild family relationships, and develop strategies to cope more effectively with the challenges they face.

Watch this introductory video from Christella and Phillipa on the history of FACTS and its definition. A transcript of the video is available here.