Sara Masland PhD has joined the Youth and Family Institute. She brings deep expertise in Borderline Personality Disorder, emotion dysregulation, and evidence-based treatment.
Dr. Masland is a professor and researcher at Pomona College. She is also an expert trainer in Good Psychiatric Management. Her work reflects scientific rigor, clinical skill, and genuine care for clients and families.
Dr. Masland was recently quoted in a New York Times article on Borderline Personality Disorder. The article highlighted the central role of relationship instability in BPD.
Sara Masland PhD and Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder, or BPD, is often misunderstood. Many people associate BPD with intense emotions, impulsive behaviors, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, identity confusion, and unstable relationships.
But relationship instability is not just one symptom among many. It is often central to both understanding and treating BPD.
Marcus Rodriguez, PhD, reflected that relationship volatility can be both a “fruit” and a “root” of BPD. In other words, relationship instability may emerge from the disorder. It can also reinforce emotional pain, fear, conflict, and patterns that keep people stuck.
Why Relationships Matter in BPD Treatment
Effective BPD treatment does more than reduce symptoms. It also helps people build more stable, meaningful, and connected relationships.
Clinicians need to directly address how clients relate to others. The therapeutic relationship itself becomes an important part of treatment.
In strong treatment, clinicians build trust, manage conflict, repair ruptures, and offer emotionally corrective experiences. This work matters even when impulsive or emotion-driven behaviors feel overwhelming.
Sara Masland PhD, GPM, and Evidence-Based Care
Dr. Masland brings expertise in Good Psychiatric Management, often called GPM. GPM is an evidence-based treatment approach for people struggling with Borderline Personality Disorder.
GPM also helps clinicians provide practical, effective care in real-world settings. This matters when more intensive treatments, such as comprehensive DBT, are not available.
YFI is grateful for Dr. Masland’s expertise, consultation, and warmth. Her presence strengthens our work with clients and families navigating emotion dysregulation, relationship conflict, self-harm, suicide risk, and related challenges.
We are grateful to welcome Sara Masland PhD to the YFI community. We are excited for the expertise, warmth, and clinical insight she brings to our work.
To learn more about Borderline Personality Disorder, readers can visit the National Institute of Mental Health overview of BPD: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder
At YFI, we support youth, young adults, and families navigating anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, self-harm, suicide risk, ADHD, emotion dysregulation, and relationship challenges. Our team provides comprehensive DBT, including individual therapy, skills training, phone coaching, parent coaching, and coordinated care for clients who need more support. Learn more about our DBT services here: /dbt/
For families and clinicians in Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Newport Beach, and Laguna Beach, YFI provides evidence-based care with warmth, clarity, and respect. To learn more or connect with our team, please visit our contact page: /contact/
