Workshop Description
This workshop will introduce participants to the theory and techniques of TFP, an evidence-based psychoanalytic psychotherapy for borderline personality disorders (BPD). TFP helps therapists provide effective treatment of this disorder with less chaos and stress than is usually associated with the treatment of borderline patients. I will summarize the object relations theory on which Transference Focused Psychotherapy is based, which provides a way to understand the psychological organization of the patient with borderline structure despite differing traits (and is one basis for the DSMV Alternate Model for Personality Pathology). In TFP theory, the dominant emotion in a therapy session points to the relationship dyad being activated or enacted. This means that TFP therapists must attend to patients’ nonverbal as well as verbal behavior, and to their own countertransference, to understand what patients are trying to communicate.
The first part of the workshop will use power point slides and examples to present theory and techniques and note the research supporting the use of TFP. We will then move to discussion of videos and audience examples. This will model how participants may apply TFP elements to the challenging interpersonal situations therapists must address in trying to help individuals with personality pathology.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Describe the TFP model of psychopathology including relevant theory and constructs.
- List elements in the assessment of borderline structure, how to give feedback and set the treatment frame with patients from diverse groups.
- Describe the therapist attitude and stance, and how countertransference is understood and managed.
- Give an example of how to use the dominant affect in a TFP session to identify and begin to interpret a relationship dyad.
Target Audience: Suitable for Psychologists, Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, Psychiatrists, Advanced Practice Nurses, Graduate Students, Marriage and Family Therapists.
Level of Sophistication: This is an introductory level post-graduate continuing education program suitable for all levels of training.
ADA accommodations available upon request (Required at least 14 days prior to course start date). |