10/05/2026
🌿 BPD Support in Wausau, WI: Spiritual and Somatic Care Alongside Professional Treatment
Hi, I'm Eric Paulson. I'm a Reiki Master, Shamanic Healer, and Somatic Educator, and for several years I've served the Wausau community through Your Essential Practice.
Over those years I've sat with many people who carry big emotions and long to feel safe in their own skin and in their relationships. Quite a few are living with borderline personality disorder (BPD), or they love someone who is. I want to talk about it openly today.
First, an important note. I'm not a licensed mental health provider, and I don't diagnose or treat mental health conditions. My work is complementary support that sits alongside care from your therapist, psychiatrist, or physician.
💛 WHAT IS BPD?
BPD is a mental health condition marked by intense emotions, unstable relationships, and an unsteady sense of self. The word "borderline" comes from an older clinical idea that the symptoms sat on the edge of psychosis and neurosis. Today it's understood as a condition of emotional dysregulation. People with BPD generally stay in touch with reality, though stress can bring temporary paranoia or dissociation.
A clinical diagnosis generally involves at least five of these nine patterns:
✦ Intense fear of abandonment
✦ Unstable, intense relationships
✦ Unstable self-image
✦ Risky impulsive behaviors (spending, substance use, reckless driving)
✦ Recurrent self-harm or suicidal behavior
✦ Rapid, intense mood shifts
✦ Chronic feelings of emptiness
✦ Difficulty controlling anger
✦ Paranoia or dissociation under stress
Only a qualified mental health professional can diagnose BPD. If any of this feels familiar, a licensed clinician is the right first step. The National Institute of Mental Health has a clear overview at nimh.nih.gov (search "borderline personality disorder").
🌀 WHERE SOMATIC AND ENERGY-BASED PRACTICES FIT IN
Emotions live in the body as well as the mind. Many of my clients tell me they feel calmer and more grounded after sessions that include:
✦ Somatic release, to notice sensation and build body awareness
✦ Reiki, for deep relaxation
✦ Sound and frequency healing, for quiet and rest
✦ Shamanic healing, for a felt sense of connection and belonging
I offer these for relaxation and self-awareness, right alongside the therapy and medical care your team provides.
🕊️ WALKING A SPIRITUAL PATH WHILE LIVING WITH BPD, OR LOVING SOMEONE WHO DOES
A spiritual path can be a steady anchor when emotions run high. Prayer, meditation, ritual, time in nature, and breathwork can all offer rest and a sense of meaning.
If you're the one living with BPD:
✦ Let your practice be a daily rhythm. A few minutes of breath, sound, or body awareness builds steadiness over time.
✦ Keep your spiritual path working hand in hand with therapy. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) teaches concrete skills for emotional regulation, and your spiritual life gives those skills a place to live in your day.
✦ Watch for spiritual bypassing. When we use spiritual language to skip over anger, grief, or fear, those feelings wait for us. Healing means feeling what is real and getting qualified support for it.
✦ Be gentle with spiritual teachers and communities. Intense feelings of connection and disappointment can show up there too, and a therapist you trust can help you talk them through.
If you're the partner:
✦ Your own spiritual life can nourish you, and your own support matters. Counseling, a support group for loved ones, and trusted friends all belong in your circle.
✦ You are a partner, and a therapist holds a separate role. Healthy boundaries, spoken with kindness, protect you both.
✦ Shared quiet time, a walk, or a simple ritual can build safety and connection between the hard moments.
✦ Self-care is part of the path. Rest, time alone, and your own grounding practices keep your heart available.
❓ QUESTIONS I HEAR OFTEN
Q: Can Reiki help with BPD?
A: Reiki is a relaxation practice. Many people find it deeply calming, and it can complement therapy and medical care.
Q: How can I support a partner with BPD?
A: Encourage their professional treatment, keep your boundaries kind and consistent, build your own support circle, and share grounding practices together.
Q: Do I need a diagnosis to book a session?
A: No. Sessions are open to anyone seeking relaxation, grounding, and self-awareness.
🚨 IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS
If you or someone you love is thinking about self-harm, call or text 988 (Su***de and Crisis Lifeline) or call 911 right away.
🌙 COME SIT WITH ME
Your Essential Practice serves downtown Wausau and the surrounding Marathon County area. If you feel called to a calm, grounded space for your emotional well-being, I would be honored to meet you.
📅 Book your session: squareup.com/appointments/book/L3V7N52M7VR1X/start
⭐ Share a review: maps.app.goo.gl/KxdMzVrdNcDC9Uop9
💛 Thank you for your generous donations: cash.app/$YEPPayment
Eric | Your Essential Practice
Your healing is not a destination. It's a remembering.
