Transference-Focused Psychotherapy in the General Psychiatry Residency: A Useful and Applicable Model for Residents in Acute Clinical Settings

Abstract

Transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) is a manualized, psychodynamic treatment for severe personality disorders. Training in TFP during residency can provide a readily applicable model for understanding and treating personality pathology in a variety of settings, even for residents who do not obtain additional training in psychodynamic treatments or go on to practice psychotherapy. Although TFP was developed as a long-term outpatient treatment, the authors have found the diagnostic and theoretical framework and the clinical techniques described in the TFP treatment manual to be useful in acute settings, even when the clinician does not have a clearly established relationship with the patient. In the authors' experience, residents find this model of understanding and working with patients with personality disorders enjoyable to learn and easy to apply.