Family therapy for the borderline patient

Abstract

Family therapy can be an appropriate modality of treatment for borderline patients: family sessions may be helpful in making order out of chaos in the system. It also takes into account the fear of separation and other developmental issues which are of concern to the borderline patient. Issues related to the structure and format of sessions in the beginning and middle phase of therapy are discussed. Progress and treatment implications including transference reactions are examined. We have concluded that the family members in a case presented have become considerably stronger and more independent. Their current developmental level indicates that we can begin to work on intrapsychic factors.