Abstract
Entitled patients are described as those who derive gratification from indiscriminate and intense interpersonal relationships and who unconsciously do everything they can to resist the limits that psychoanalytic psychotherapy imposes on them. In this paper the dynamics of entitled patients are explained. Case histories illustrate the difficulties and significance of setting therapeutic limits on such patients.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Goldman, Stephen, P. (1988). To be or not to be a real object: Monitoring the therapeutic relationship.Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 18(1). This issue.
Horner, Althea. (1979).Object relations and the developing ego in therapy. New York: Jason Aronson.
Klein, Melanie. (1977).Envy and gratitude and other works 1946–1963. New York: Delta.
Mann, James (1973).Time-limited psychotherapy. Cambridge, Harvard University Press.
Searles, H.F. (1965).Collected papers on schizophrenia and related subjects. New York: International Universities Press.
Selzer, M.A., Koenigsberg, H.W., & Kernberg, O.F. (1987). The initial contract in the treatment of borderline patientsAm. J. Psychiatry, 144, 7.
Stern, D.N. (1985).The interpersonal world of the infant. New York, Basic Books.
Winnicott, D.W. (1965).The maturational processes and the facilitating environment. New York: International Universities Press.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Boulanger, G. Working with the entitled patient. J Contemp Psychother 18, 124–144 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00946361
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00946361