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Integrating Individual and Family Systems Psychotherapy to Treat Borderline Personality Disorder

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Journal of Psychotherapy Integration

Abstract

This paper focuses on two areas. The first is the framework for psychotherapy integration used by Unified Therapy, a psychotherapy approach that is an integration of psychodynamic, cognitive–behavioral, and family systems therapy. The second is the use of this treatment paradigm in the psychotherapy of adults with borderline personality disorder. The theory posits that continuing and recurrent interpersonal behavior patterns within the patient's family of origin serve as behavioral triggers to typical acting-out behaviors. Therapy is geared toward planning strategies to alter these destructive patterns. A case example is presented to demonstrate the use of the therapy's theories and techniques.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Tennessee, Memphis, 135 N. Pauline, Sixth Floor, Memphis, Tennessee

    David M. Allen

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  1. David M. Allen
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Correspondence to David M. Allen.

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Allen, D.M. Integrating Individual and Family Systems Psychotherapy to Treat Borderline Personality Disorder. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration 11, 313–331 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016602216650

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016602216650

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