Psychotherapy in borderline personality disorders: when the impasse is not on the client's side

This article explores the contribution of the psychotherapist to therapeutic impasses occurring with clients suffering from borderline personality disorder, centering on Masterson's concepts of dynamic triad and on impasses resulting from a failure of regulation of counter-transference. The therapist's numerous dynamics-often raised himself in a dysfunctional family-are explored in the possible interactions with the client's pathological dynamic. These dynamics can evolve on a theoretical continuum that goes from predominance of character defences to complete resilience. In conclusion, the very high demands of psychotherapy of borderline personality disorders on the level of regulation of counter-transference, a crucial factor in efficiency and therapeutic alliance are underlined. The author shares her clinical experience supported by a literature review on the mental health and personal life of psychotherapists.