Holding and Caring: A Borderline Patient in a New Psychotherapy Group

Abstract

The author explores the containment of a patient with borderline personality disorder in a new psychotherapy group and examines the impact on the role of the conductor and the group when such a patient is included. In particular she argues that the borderline patient's often primitive, destructive behaviour requires the conductor to alter his or her role in order to contain the patient and to prevent the potential disintegration of the group in the early stages. She looks at the effect this altered behaviour may have on group processes.