Interrupted therapeutic process of a patient with borderline personality disorder / Proceso terapéutico interrumpido con un paciente con trastorno de personalidad borderline

Abstract

Aim: to describe and understand an interrupted psychotherapy of a patient with Borderline Personality Disorder. Method: systematic, naturalistic and exploratory case study of the therapeutic dyad. The Therapeutic Cycles Model (TCM) and the Psychotherapy Process Q-Set (PQS) were the instruments used. Results: according to TCM, the case can be divided into two stages: one with cycles of change and one without cycles of change. According to the PQS, the themes addressed by the dyad were relevant to psychotherapy and related to patient diagnosis. However, the patient seemed to be uncommitted to the therapeutic process and did not rely on the therapist to solve her problems. The therapist’s attitudes were adequate but technical interventions were not prominent. The combination of patient and therapist data assisted in understanding why the psychotherapy was abandoned.