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A Case Report of the Treatment of Narcissistic Personality Disorder with Transference Focused Psychotherapy
  • Joanna Bird ,
  • Eve Caligor
Joanna Bird
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

Corresponding Author:joannabirdmd@gmail.com

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Eve Caligor
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
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Abstract

Transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) is an evidence-based, psychodynamic psychotherapy empirically validated for patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and successfully adapted for the treatment of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). Personality disorders are characterized by the behavioral and affective dysregulation associated with pathological identity formation. Based on contemporary object relations theory (ORT), the goal of TFP is symptom relief through improvement in self and interpersonal functioning. The TFP treatment frame, established through an initial contracting phase and combined with the therapist’s technical neutrality, facilitates activation, identification and containment of affectively charged perceptions of self and other. These perceptions, or object relations dyads, are repeatedly identified, labeled and explored through the interpretative process. Over the course of treatment, the patient’s capacity for affect containment and reflection improves and a better integrated, realistic sense of self develops consistent with healthier personality functioning. Utilizing a compilation of several patients, the treatment of NPD with TPF is described and the evidence for the efficacy of TFP for NPD is summarized.
15 Aug 2023Submitted to Journal of Clinical Psychology
17 Aug 2023Submission Checks Completed
17 Aug 2023Assigned to Editor
18 Aug 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
18 Aug 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
20 Sep 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Major