Group psychotherapy treatment of borderline personalities

Borderline personalities have been treated in psychotherapy groups for over 40 years. This article elaborates some of the characteristics pertinent to the treatment of these patients. Combined treatment of group and individua l therapy addresses the needs for object constancy, the integration of obje ct and self representations and the possibility of attachment to others. Co llaboration with individual therapists in this process is essential and the re are specific conditions that allow this to occur as well as guidelines t o help them make referrals. Cotherapy can be especially beneficial if the c otherapy team is knowledgeable and experienced. The group therapist must ha ve special training and supervision to conduct groups of such intensity and affectively laden content.