Group psychotherapy and borderline personality disorder: A psychodynamic approach

Abstract

There is extensive empirical data associated with research into borderline personality disorder (BPD) and with research into group psychotherapy. However, these two lines of scientific inquiry have not yet been brought together. In this paper, an attempt is made to merge these two fields. First, borderline personality disorder is reviewed in terms of its history and epidemiological context; second, a description of the disorder is given; third, group psychotherapy with people with BPD is considered, giving special attention to the role of the therapist, the co-therapist model and the need to include in the group members who have not been given a borderline diagnosis; fourth, a case illustration is offered; finally, some conclusions are presented.