At the first session the trainees are supplied with a red notebook in which to keep their training materials. Most clients are very reliable in bringing the notebook to each session. They are strongly urged to share their notebook and the lesson materials with others in their system. By the end of the training, most clients view the red notebook as a resource they can turn to during difficult times. Rather than following a traditional group therapy model, sessions have the look and feel of a seminar.
Clients sit at a conference table facing a board.
Besides the use of the board and the printed materials, the training is facilitated by poetry, audio recordings of songs, art activities, and relaxation exercises. It is not unusual for clients to bring in materials and even art work they have created that reinforce the skills and themes of the meetings. They keep track of their weekly score on a graph. This allows them to see the variability that is typical of BPD, and to note over time the decrease in the intensity of their emotional episodes and the increased use of the positive behaviors and skills being taught. The BEST can be used for data collection in evaluation of the effectiveness of training.