311: Transference-Focused Psychotherapy
Instructors
Diana Diamond, Ph.D.
Frank Yeomans, M.D.
March 15 – May 10, 2027
Mondays, 7:00 – 8:25 pm
Course Description
Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP) is an evidence-based treatment for the severe personality disorders, particularly borderline and narcissistic personality disorders. TFP builds on a psychoanalytic object relations model. TFP combines a psychoanalytic approach with structure and limit-setting. The goals of the treatment are ambitious – personality change, as reflected in modifications in patients’ defensive structure and better functioning and satisfaction in their interpersonal and work lives, as well as symptom change. After taking this course, participants will improve their ability to treat patients with severe personality disorders. Third/fourth year students combined.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:
1. describe the concept of psychological structure and its relation to the specific symptoms of personality disorders organized at the borderline level
2. outline the role of identity integration in treating personality disorders organized at the borderline level
3. utilize strategies, tactics and techniques of transference-focused psychotherapy in the clinical setting
Evaluation Method
Each student’s participation in class discussion and his or her demonstration of understanding of the course objectives and reading material is assessed in a written evaluation by the instructor(s).
These articles are protected under relevant copyright regulations. They are available in the New York Psychoanalytic Society & Institute Electronic Reserve for your convenience, and for your personal use.
READINGS ARE CONFIRMED.
I.
CLASS 1: March 15, 2027
REQUIRED READINGS
Yeomans, F.E., Clarkin, J.F., & Kernberg, O.F. (2015). Transference-Focused Psychotherapy for Borderline Personality Disorder: A Clinical Guide. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing. [Read Chapters 1 and 2]
Kernberg, O. (1984). Structural Diagnosis and The Structural Interview. In Severe Personality Disorders. New Haven: Yale University Press. [Read Chapter 1]
Kernberg, O. (1984). Structural Diagnosis and The Structural Interview. In Severe Personality Disorders. New Haven: Yale University Press. [Read Chapter 2]
II.
CLASS 2: March 22, 2027
REQUIRED READINGS
Freud, S. (1915). Observations on Transference-Love (Further Recommendations on the Technique of Psycho-Analysis III). The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, 12:157-171.
III.
CLASS 3: March 29, 2027
REQUIRED READINGS
Caligor, E., Diamond, D., Yeomans, F.E. and Kernberg, O.F. (2009). The Interpretive Process in the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy of Borderline Personality Pathology. J. Amer. Psychoanal. Assn., 57(2):271-301.
IV:
CLASS 4: April 5, 2027
REQUIRED READINGS
None
V.
CLASS 5: April 12, 2027
SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS
Clarkin, J.F., Levy, K.N., Lenzenweger, M.F., and Kernberg, O.F. (2007). Evaluating three treatments for borderline personality disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 164:922-928.
Doering, S., Hoerz, S., Rentrop, M., et al. (2010). Transference-focused psychotherapy v. treatment by community therapists for BPD: randomized controlled trial. Brit J Psychiatry, 196:389-395.
Kernberg, O.F. (2015). Narcissistic Defenses in the Distortion of Free Association and Their Underlying Anxieties. Psychoanal Q., 84(3):625-642.
Levy, K.N., Meehan, K.B., Kelly, K.M., et al. (2006). Change in attachment patterns and reflective function in a randomized control trial of transference-focused psychotherapy for borderline personality disorder. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(6):1027-1040.
Levy, K.N., Clarkin, J.F., Yeomans, F.E., et al. (2006). The mechanisms of change in the treatment of borderline personality disorder with transference focused psychotherapy. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62(4):481-501.
Radcliffe, J. and Yeomans, F. (2019). Transference‐focused Psychotherapy for Patients with Personality Disorders: Overview and Case Example with a Focus on the Use of Contracting. British Journal of Psychotherapy, 35: 4-23.
Yeomans, F. E., Delaney, J. C., & Levy, K. N. (2017). Behavioral activation in TFP: The role of the treatment contract in transference-focused psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, 54(3), 260–266.
VI.
CLASS 6: April 19, 2027
REQUIRED READINGS
Diamond, D. and Hersh, R.G. (2020). Transference-Focused Psychotherapy for Narcissistic Personality Disorder: An Object Relations Approach. Journal of Personality Disorders, 34:159-176.
Diamond, D., Yeomans, F.E, Stern, B.L. & Kernberg, O.F. (2022). Treating Pathological Narcissism with Transference Focused Psychotherapy. Guilford Press. [Read Chapters 1 – 6]
VII.
CLASS 7: April 26, 2027
REQUIRED READINGS
Diamond, D., Yeomans, F.E, Stern, B.L. & Kernberg, O.F. (2022). Treating Pathological Narcissism with Transference Focused Psychotherapy. Guilford Press. [Read Chapters 7 – 10]
VIII. Wrap Up and Review
CLASS 8: May 3, 2027
REQUIRED READINGS
TBA
IX. Unnamed
CLASS 9: May 10, 2027
REQUIRED READINGS
TBA