Transference focused psychotherapy

Transference focused psychotherapy (TFP) is a highly structured, twice-weekly modified psychodynamic treatment based on Otto F. Kernberg's object relations model of borderline personality disorder (BPD).[1] It views the individual with borderline personality organization (BPO) as holding unreconciled and contradictory internalized representations of self and significant others that are affectively charged. The defense against these contradictory internalized object relations leads to disturbed relationships with others and with self. The distorted perceptions of self, others, and associated affects are the focus of treatment as they emerge in the relationship with the therapist (transference). The treatment focuses on the integration of split-off parts of self and object representations, and the consistent interpretation of these distorted perceptions is considered the mechanism of change.

TFP has been validated as an efficacious treatment for BPD,[2][3] but too few studies have been conducted to allow firm conclusions about its value.[4] TFP is one of a number of treatments that may be useful in the treatment of BPD; however, in a study which compared TFP, dialectical behavior therapy, and modified psychodynamic supportive psychotherapy, only TFP was shown to change how patients think about themselves in relationships.[5]

  1. ^ Clarkin, J. F., Yeomans, F., Kernberg, O. F. (2006). Psychotherapy for borderline personality: Focusing on object relations. New York: Wiley.
  2. ^ Clarkin, J. F., Levy, K. N., Lenzenweger, M. F., & Kernberg, O. F. (2007). A multiwave RCT evaluating three treatments for borderline personality disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 164, 922-928.
  3. ^ Doering, S., Hörz, S., Rentrop, M., Fischer-Kern, M., Schuster, P., Benecke, C., Buchheim, A., Martius, P., Buchheim, P. (2010). Transference-Focused Psychotherapy vs. treatment by community psychotherapists for borderline personality disorder: A randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Psychiatry, 196, 389-395.
  4. ^ Stoffers, J.M., Vollm, B.A., Rücker, G., Timmer, A., Huband, N., & Lieb K. (2012). Psychological therapies for people with borderline personality disorder. The Cochrane Collaboration. Published online: 15 Aug 2012
  5. ^ Levy, K.N., Meehan, K.B., Kelly, K.M., Reynoso, J.S., Weber, M., Clarkin, J.F., & Kernberg, O.F. (2006). Change in attachment patterns and reflective function in a randomized control trial of Transference Focused Psychotherapy for borderline personality disorder. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74, 1027-1040.