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Transference-Focused Psychotherapy Program
What is TFP?
Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP) is a manualized, evidence-based treatment for severe personality disorders, in particular borderline and narcissistic personality disorders. To address the clinical needs of this challenging patient population, TFP combines a psychodynamic approach with structure and limit-setting. The goals of the treatment are ambitious - personality change, as reflected in the patients’ functioning and satisfaction in their interpersonal and work lives, as well as symptom change.
TFP builds on a psychodynamic object relations model of psychological functioning. The treatment focuses on internalized images of self and other that organize the patient’s interpersonal experience. The exaggerated, distorted, and unrealistic internal images of self and other characteristic of severe personality disorders are associated with problems in mood regulation, self-esteem, and interpersonal relationships. The aim of the treatment is to modify these internalized relationship patterns by exploring them as they are activated in the therapeutic relationship and in the patient’s interpersonal life. The ultimate aim is to create more stable, realistic and better-integrated experiences of self and other, leading to improved interpersonal functioning and adaptation to life.
The Course
This course will begin with review of the principles and techniques of TFP. It will then move on to case material. The instructors will provide the initial case material, including videos of sessions that illustrate management of typical situations. After this introductory phase, the course will shift to primarily discussion and supervision of participants’ cases. After completing this course participants should have acquired the fund of knowledge and clinical skills to be a competent TFP therapist. Participants will receive a certificate from the Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research for the year-long course.
The educational program consists of 35 weekly seminars over the course of the year. Seminars are held from 2:15-3:45 on Tuesday afternoons at 286 Madison Avenue (corner of East 40th street).
Application
The training will be open to licensed Psychiatrists, PhDs and PsyDs.
Download the application here and mail your completed application with a nonrefundable $50 application fee to:
The Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research
1051 Riverside Drive, Box 63
New York, N.Y. 10032
Tuition
The cost for the year-long seminar is $3,000.