Kiera Van Gelder

Van Gelder navigates the intricate landscapes of mental health, creativity, and personal growth, using her multifaceted background to destigmatize mental illness. With an MFA in creative writing, her journey has unfolded across the realms of art, education, and advocacy. Her memoir, "The Buddha and the Borderline," serves as a poignant testament to her experiences with borderline personality disorder (BPD), intertwining dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and Buddhist practices. This book not only challenges prevailing misconceptions about BPD but also offers practical insights into healing and spiritual practice, aiming to provide hope and understanding to those grappling with similar issues.\n\nHer role as an international speaker further amplifies her impact, enabling her to share her recovery narratives and advocate for mental health awareness on a broader stage. Van Gelder’s unique blend of personal testimony and practical wisdom makes her work particularly accessible to both those with lived experiences of mental illness and readers seeking deeper understanding. Her efforts in writing and speaking have established her as a crucial voice in mental health conversations, particularly in addressing and dismantling the stigma surrounding personality disorders. Through her work, Van Gelder fosters a compassionate dialogue that benefits anyone interested in mental health, offering insights that resonate with individuals seeking both personal growth and societal change.