THE MASTERSON GROUP, P.C.

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
of the Personality Disorders

Descriptions of Books by James F. Masterson, M.D.

PSYCHOTHERAPY OF THE BORDERLINE ADULT

In this volume a leading clinician brings diagnostic order, a comprehensible theory, and a clinical approach out of the confusion and controversy surrounding the concept "borderline." Through an interweaving of theoretical concepts and rich clinical experience, Dr. Masterson develops not only a clear definition of the borderline syndrome, but also the etiology and treatment of this complex disorder.

The initial THEORETICAL section presents an object relations theory that lays bare the developmental origins and intrapsychic structure of the borderline syndrome and makes a rational and effective psychotherapy possible. Of notable importance is Masterson's discussion of the particular form on structuralized internal object relations, identified from direct clinical work, which he has termed the split object relations unit. The etiology of the borderline syndrome in the child's early interactions with the borderline mother is thoroughly explored, along with the intrapsychic and interpersonal aspects.

Following a chapter on the general principles of psychotherapy with borderline adults, the CLINICAL section is devoted to applying the theory to psychotherapy through detailed case reports. Case studies of both supportive and reconstructive psychotherapy illustrate how therapeutic intervention can bring about dramatic changes in the patient's life.

Masterson, in illustrating the use of such techniques as confrontation, interpretation and communicative matching in the various phases of therapy, shares not only his triumphs and sudden insights, but also his early counter transferential blind spots and the of errors clinical judgment he makes while learning what the patients need from him.

This volume is a major contribution to the psychiatric and psychoanalytic literature, casting light on the "riddle" of the borderline and giving the clinician a theory which provides hypotheses than can be tested clinically - leading to further refinement of the theory.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
James F. Masterson, M.D., is founder and director of the Masterson Group and Masterson Institute for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in New York City. He is also the founding father of The Society of Adolescent Psychiatry and past president of its New York Chapter. He is the author of a dozen books, including The Search for the Real Self (1988), The Emerging Self (1991), and Disorders of the Self (1995). Several of his books are required reading in courses throughout the country, and many have been translated into other languages. He has also written numerous articles and papers for leading journals both here and abroad.

Dr. Masterson maintains a private practice and is Clinical Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at the Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University.