Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Of Borderline Patients [Hardcover]

Otto F. Kernberg (Author), Michael A. Selzer (Author), Harold W. Koenigsberg (Author), Arthur C. Carr (Author), Ann H. Applebaum (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0465066437 | ISBN-13: 978-0465066438 | Publication Date: August 21, 1989 | Edition: 1

No name has been more closely associated with borderline pathology than that of world-renowned psychiatrist Otto D. Kernberg. His conceptualization of borderline personality organization and his ego psychology—object relations approach have broadened the understanding of these difficult patients and pointed the way to a more successful treatment of them. This long-awaited book, based on years of clinical research by Kernberg and his associates, is the first to present his model of psychodynamic psychotherapy with borderline patients.Using abundant clinical vignettes and transcripts, the authors take the reader through the treatment—from establishing the contract through dealing with termination—always explaining the theory that underlies the technique. They describe the phases of treatment, beginning with the most primitive and moving on to working with advanced defenses and transferences. Included are guidelines on such crucial issues as dealing with countertransference, modifying technical neutrality, and handling suicide threats. With its elegant integration of theory and practice and clear explication of treatment strategies, this important book is an essential resource for both beginning and seasoned practitioners.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Otto F. Kernberg is associate chairman and medical director, The New York Hospital—Cornell Medical Center, Westchester Division; Drs. Selzer, Koenigsberg, Carr, and Appelbaum are on the faculty there. Otto F. Kernberg is associate chairman and medical director, The New York Hospital—Cornell Medical Center, Westchester Division; Drs. Selzer, Koenigsberg, Carr, and Appelbaum are on the faculty there. Otto F. Kernberg is associate chairman and medical director, The New York Hospital—Cornell Medical Center, Westchester Division; Drs. Selzer, Koenigsberg, Carr, and Appelbaum are on the faculty there. Otto F. Kernberg is associate chairman and medical director, The New York Hospital—Cornell Medical Center, Westchester Division; Drs. Selzer, Koenigsberg, Carr, and Appelbaum are on the faculty there. Otto F. Kernberg is associate chairman and medical director, The New York Hospital—Cornell Medical Center, Westchester Division; Drs. Selzer, Koenigsberg, Carr, and Appelbaum are on the faculty there.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books; 1 edition (August 21, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465066437
• ISBN-13: 978-0465066438
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #188,968 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #99 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Personality Disorders

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hard hitting, September 3, 2001

By 

Susan G. Dunn "The EQ Coach" (San Antonio, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Of Borderline Patients (Hardcover)

Kernberg's treatment model reflects an approach to the therapy of borderline patients that is based upon ego psychology-object relations conceptualization, that is, a psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy that relies on interpretatio of the transference. The aim of the treatment, he states, is to "enhance the patient's ability to experience self and others as coherent, integrated, realistically perceived individuals, and to reduce the need to use defenses that weaken ego structure by reducing the repertoire of available responses."

He covers all the bases, with clarity and authority -- the Principles of Treatment, the Phases of Treatment, and Common Complications. The book ranges from theoretical to very didactic -- there's a chapter called "Conducting a Session" that is very illuminating. Kernberg, who is an expert in the field, doesn't let you down in this instructive book on a notorously difficult subject. What strikes me most about his book, and about him, are his hard-hitting clarifications, confrontations and interpretations.

To one patient he says, "I am impressed by your telling me that you shared your new slides with the very person you have been suspecting of plagiarizing other researchers' work."

To another he says, "I think you have been trying to provoke me into an argument in order to protect yourself against the emergence of sexual fantasies about me. What do you think about this?"

To another, "Whipping prostitutes and acting tough with me have similar functions..."

One gets the idea that he is relentless in pursuit of therapeutic healing. You can read his book and learn, but the question is, can you do the actual therapy as he does.

I highly recommend this book for an understanding of the treatment of borderlines -- the challenges, the goals, the actualities of the treatment room, the countertransference pitfalls and opportunities, the intense, chaotic transferences, and the forms of resistance.