Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP) Based Group Therapy

Transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) was originally conceived as an extended, individual outpatient treatment. Our goal is to describe the development of group treatment interventions informed by TFP principles in two different settings: a program for adults in Munsterlingen, Switzerland, and a program for adolescents in Cologne, Germany. We outline the essential elements of TFP-informed group treatment and the role these group treatments play in the comprehensive programs offered to patients at these two sites. Group TFP theory for adults, as developed by Kernberg, builds on a foundation of group dynamics and theory described by Bion and others. Offering any group treatment designed for patients with personality disorder diagnoses requires specific modifications; integrating TFP principles into group treatment can add an extra dimension to these offerings, adding insights derived from object relations theory. These two examples are reflective of the growing movement in sites in multiple countries adapting TFP principles for work in group settings. For example, the innovation of TFP group treatment for adolescents with borderline personality disorder (BPD), underscores the importance of the peer group in the treatment of this population in a group setting. This leads to a triadic situation and due to this, several challenges are in place that play an important role in the life of adolescent borderline patients. The special perspectives with this population are discussed based on group therapy experiences in a day hospital program and in this chapter explored in the context of a broader movement of TFP-informed group work.