How Does OSSiBD Work?

OSSiBD is designed to take place in a small-group setting and be facilitated by mental health clinicians or peer group leaders. The aim of the program is to alleviate self-stigma, ameliorate its harmful impacts, and improve quality of life for those with bipolar disorder.

OSSiBD is designed to take place in a small-group setting and be facilitated by mental health clinicians. The aim of the program is to alleviate self-stigma, ameliorate its harmful impacts, and improve quality of life for those living with bipolar disorder.

OSSiBD Program Details.

OSSiBD is meant to feel like a cross between a classroom, a process-oriented therapy session, and a peer support group.

The OSSiBD program contains eight sessions of 60-90 minutes. Groups should ideally have approximately 8-10 participants but this can be tailored to a particular site's needs.

The program can be used in person or via online video conferencing. The Participant's Workbook is also a fillable PDF for easy usage in an online group.

OSSiBD is being used all over the world in hospitals, universities, treatment centers, and private practices.

Who Can Benefit From OSSiBD?

OSSiBD is intended for use with adults who have bipolar disorder and are not currently experiencing a mood episode so severe that it would impede them from participating in and benefiting from the program. Obviously, bipolar disorder occurs on a continuum and many patients will have residual symptoms even during periods of euthymia.

The Materials.

The materials for OSSiBD are its central component and the group cannot be run without possessing and being familiar with them.

OSSiBD Program Details.

The OSSiBD treatment manuals are comprised of two reproducible booklets: the Facilitator’s Manual and the Participant’s Workbook.

The Facilitator’s Manual contains everything needed to bring the program to life.

The Participant’s Workbook contains graphics, information, and exercises for participants to engage with. Every participant must receive one.

Development of OSSiBD.

OSSiBD was developed as the dissertation of Dr. Andrea Vassilev, who holds a doctorate in psychology and has specialty expertise in bipolar disorder. The content of OSSiBD draws on a thorough literature review that examined evidence-based practices for the treatment of self-stigma in mental health conditions. It is therefore firmly rooted in evidence-based modalities and accepted psychological theory.

The program was reviewed by a team of worldwide experts in the fields of stigma, self-stigma, and bipolar disorder prior to publication. Further refinements have been incorporated since then based on ongoing clinician feedback and the experiences of pilot groups.

Researchers/PIs: if you are interested in collaborating on a clinical trial of OSSiBD with the intent to publish, please contact andrea@ossibd.com.

Contact Andrea