A Psychodynamic Approach for the General Psychiatrist: Using Transference-Focused Psychotherapy Principles in Acute Care Settings.

Transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) is one of the empirically validated treatments for patients with borderline personality disorder. TFP has roots in psychoanalytically informed psychotherapy, although important elements of the treatment have been adapted and refined for patients with significant personality disorder pathology. TFP's assessment process is informed by the structural interview, an approach that synthesizes standard DSM-5 nosology with the psychodynamic concept of the personality organization. TFP principles can be integrated into practice in general psychiatry settings in the care of patients with primary or co-occurring personality disorder pathology.