Dedicated to the Study of Personality Disorders
The Center for Transference-Focused Psychotherapy

The Personality Disorders Institute (PDI) under the leadership of Otto F. Kernberg, M.D., director, and John F. Clarkin, Ph.D., co-director, is an internationally recognized group of mental health professionals examining the range of personality pathology, including that of borderline personality disorder, and developing empirically supported treatment for these patients. Individuals suffering from personality disorder are characterized by disturbances in self-definition and functioning, and disturbances in their interpersonal relations. Personality disorders are often accompanied by depression, anxiety, self-destructive and suicidal behavior, and serious disturbances in intimate relations, social relations, and work productivity.

The interdisciplinary professionals in the PDI have authored and edited multiple books on psychodynamic theory, practice, techniques, and research findings. These experts have lectured at major conferences concerning personality pathology internationally.

Our team provides training on the treatment of personality pathology both nationally and internationally. We have helped establish TFP training and research sites in Quebec City, Canada; Munich, Germany; Vienna, Austria; London, England; and the Netherlands.

News

ARTICLE: Transference-Focused Psychotherapy in the General Psychiatry Residency:
A Useful and Applicable Model for Residents in Acute Clinical Settings
by Erin Zerbo MD, Shelly Cohen MD, Wiktoria Bielska MD, and Eve Caligor MD

ON-LINE COURSE: Videoconference Training in Transference-Focused Psychotherapy, Sponsored by the Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research, September 3, 2013 - June 3, 2014

Seminars & Conferences More Details

Introduction to TFP

Lausanne, Switzerland,  June 17 - 19, 2013

TFP for Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Bilbao, Spain,  June 21 - 22, 2013

Introduction to TFP

Murcia, Spain,  June 24 - 25, 2013

*NEW* Videoconference Training in Transference-Focused Psychotherapy

Sponsored by the Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research,  September 3, 2013 - June 3, 2014

Introduction to TFP
Polish Association of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Krakow, Poland,  September 14 - 15, 2013

Transference-Focused Psychotherapy for Borderline Personality Organization: A Clinical Guide

Calgary, AB,  October 5, 2013

Recently Published More Details

New edition of
Psychotherapy for Borderline Personality: Focusing on Object Relations
by Clarkin, Yeomans & Kernberg

Treatment manual for patients with less severe personality disorders:
Caligor, E., Kernberg, O.F., & Clarkin, J.F. (March 2007).
Handbook of Dynamic Psychotherapy for Higher Level Personality Pathology.

The PDI completed data analysis on the randomized, controlled trial of three treatments for Borderline Personality Disorder:
Clarkin, Levy, Lenzenweger, Kernberg (2007)
Evaluating three treatments for borderline personality disorder: a multiwave study.

The nature of personality disorders and their treatment:
Levy, Wasserman, Scott, Yeomans (2009).
Empirical evidence for transference focused psychotherapy and other psychodynamic psychotherapy for borderline personality disorder.

Please Note: Due to new Federal regulations, we are not able to respond to any clinical questions by e-mail. This includes requests for referrals. In most parts of the country, information regarding referrals can be obtained from the local branches of the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, and the National Association of Social Workers. They often have lists of therapists who specialize in specific areas of treatment.

For more information about borderline personality — both about the condition and about resources — please visit the Borderline Personality Disorder Resource Center.

Our Affiliates

International Society of Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (ISTFP)

Dept. of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy
Medical University of Vienna
Währinger Gürtel 18-20, A-1090 Wien, Austria

The Personality Studies Institute

at 286 Madison Avenue, Penthouse
New York, NY 10017
212-213-0310

Members of this institute focus on teaching and training mental health professionals in TFP. In addition we continue to research aspects of personality disorders and offer treatment through our individual practices. View website.