Beyond ‘Handholding’: Supportive Therapy for Patients With BPD and Self-Injurious Behavior

The authors examine whether supportive therapy is a safe & effective treatment approach for patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD), adapting the Beth Israel supportive-therapy model for use in the treatment of BPD patients. The prevention of suicidal crises in this population is identified as a key goal of supportive therapy, & the benefits & challenges of this approach are highlighted. Phases of treatment are outlined, & implications for future research are discussed. (19 refs)