The effectiveness of transference-focused psychotherapy on counter-transference behavior in working with borderline personality disorder

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of transference-focused-psychotherapy [TFP] on therapist’s counter-transference behavior [CTB] in working with clients with borderline personality disorder [BPD]. This applied research was a semi-experimental, single-subject A-B design. Among the BPDs who referred to Ibn-e-Sina Hospital in Mashhad, 3 persons, were selected by purposeful sampling according to the psychiatrist's diagnosis and borderline personality inventory [BPI] and received TFP for one year. Data were collected in three phases using an inventory of countertransference behavior [ICB], by the supervisor. Visual analysis, effect size, and reliable change index were used to analyze data. The findings, according to the supervisor evaluations in the treatment and follow up phases confirmed the clinically and statistically significant decrease in total score CTB and positive CTB while the negative CTB did not changed significantly. According to the findings, it can be said that TFP has been able to significantly reduce the CTB during one year.