Therapeutic alliance rupture and resolution in a brief psychiatric treatment for borderline personality disorder

Abstract

Background

The focus of this case study was to explore the development of the therapeutic alliance in relation to alliance rupture and resolution and the effect of motive-focussed psychotherapeutic techniques on this process in the treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Methods

Therapeutic alliance rupture and resolution processes were analysed in relation to outcomes over the course of a 10 week, short-term generalist psychiatric treatment for BPD in two patients, hereby referred to as Clara and Rebecca. Clara received treatment in the form of good psychiatric management (GPM) with the addition of motive-oriented therapeutic relationship (MOTR) techniques. Rebecca received treatment in the form of GPM.

Results

Both patients experienced a clinically significant reduction in symptoms. Ruptures and resolution processes occurred at low frequencies in Clara's treatment, while ruptures and resolution processes were numerous in Rebecca's treatment. The focus in Clara's treatment was on rupture prevention because of the added presence of MOTR techniques, while the focus in Rebecca's treatment was on rupture identification and resolution.

Discussion

Results support the hypothesis that symptom reduction was achieved through two distinct pathways of change as a function of the treatment condition, which suggests the potential presence of multiple effective psychotherapeutic techniques for alliance development. Limitations of this study and clinical implications for the treatment of BPD in psychotherapy, with a special focus on the therapeutic alliance, are discussed.