In Client-Centered Psychotherapy, the capacity and motivation of patients to form a working alliance is considered to be a prerequisite for an effective therapy. Especially, patients with a Borderline Personality Disorder have difficulties in creating and maintaining stable relationships. They seem to be predisposed to burnout therapists. This article discusses the way Dialectical Behavior Therapy deals with the interpersonal side to BPD. It gives special focus to the treatment of the client's fear of abandonment and the way attachment problems in the relationship with the therapist can be solved. It is concluded that combining Dialectical Behavior Therapy principles, especially dialectics, with Client-Centered Psychotherapy may result in a healthy working alliance between clients and therapists.
The tPeP (Journal Person-centered experiential Psychotherapy) is the scientific journal for Dutch and Flemish psychotherapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, that work from, or are interested in a client-centered perspective.
