Download Author: Buie, Dan H. Jr., M.D.

2 eBooks available.

The Uses of Confrontation in the Psychotherapy of Borderline Patients

It has been useful to us to define confrontation as a specific technique for dealing with avoidance defenses. Because borderline patients rely heavily on these avoidance mechanisms, we have found confrontation to be necessary in their treatment. At certain difficult times it is needed as part of the therapist’s effort to help his patient regain an experience of security and avoid actual dangers toward which he is inclined.

The Misuses of Confrontation in the Psychotherapy of Borderline Patients

When it happens that the patient observes his therapist struggling with his own countertransference fury, he has the opportunity to learn how another person can master murderous rage. If the therapist fails in his struggle, the patient may then comply helplessly as a victim of an attack, and his view of the world as untrustworthy is further confirmed. In this mutual struggle the patient can learn that neither he nor the therapist need destroy each other in spite of mutually destructive urges.