Treatment of Borderline Conditions

Bibliographic Data

ID20178886
AuthorsKen Woods, Mary Woods (0000-0002-4138-9599)
Year1982
Volume12
Issue4
Pages288-300
Publication date1982-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueTransactional Analysis Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0362-1537 • E-ISSN: 2329-5244
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1177/036215378201200415
OpenAlexW2579565417
LanguageEN
Citations received8

An arrest-in-development at the symbiotic stage characterizes borderline conditions. Use of this model, rather than the more familiar triadic Parent-Adult-Child, facilitates work with these clients. Adaptation to powerful figures is not a new response for them. A recognition important for the therapist to retain is that the dynamics and structural aspects of the borderline are consistent, rather than being chaotic as their appearance often suggests. Describes a “cookbook” approach developed for working with borderlines. The approach emphasizes analyzing: 1. observable power plays; 2. acting out; 3. symbiosis, and 4. ego splitting and ego boundaries. Elements of the cookbook are discussed in detail, and illustrative examples provided. Appropriate and effective variations of each element are described, together with the necessary caveats

Chaotic · Cognitive psychology · Cognitive science · Id, ego and super-ego · Child Therapy and Development · Computer Science · Counseling, Therapy, and Family Dynamics · Psychology · Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications · Social Psychology · Artificial Intelligence