Psychodynamic counselling for the borderline personality disordered client: A case study

Abstract

Psychodynamic counselling for clients with borderline personality disorder is difficult and challenging because there are problems with the validity of the concept, diagnosing the disorder, managing disturbed behaviour and maintaining the treatment to successful completion. Nevertheless, counsellors are frequently called upon to provide assessment, management and treatment for this group. This article explores the application of psychodynamic principles of counselling to clients with borderline personality disorder, examines the history of the concept, the diagnostic process, and employs a case presentation to help describe aspects of character structure and treatment.