TFP: Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP) is a continuously developed and empirically validated form of psychodynamic psychotherapy constructed for the treatment of patients with personality disorders. It was primarily developed to treat borderline patients who pose a serious threat to themselves and others, who are unable to hold down a job, build more long-term intimate relationships, or are severely maladjusted to society. Over time, it has been adapted to the specific challenges of treating patients with pathological narcissism (TFP-N). In addition to this, over the past two decades, a method of psychodynamic psychotherapy (Dynamic Psychotherapy for Higher Level Personality Pathology, DPHP) has been developed for relatively high-functioning patients with mild personality pathology, termed higher level pathology, and a specialised psychotherapy (TFP-A) has also been developed for the group of adolescents in whom disruptions in a normal developmental crisis signal the development of severe personality disorders.
TFP is the result of integrating knowledge from classical psychoanalytic theories with contemporary contributions from the areas of neuroscience and attachment research. It is based on Otto Kernberg’s structural theory, which is a combination of ego psychology and object relations theory.
Transference analysis is central to this therapeutic approach. It consists of an analysis of the internalised relationship with the object that is present ‘here and now’ during the therapy session.

The hallmarks of TFP are: 1) an emphasis on a detailed process of diagnostic evaluation of the patient using a specifically developed structured interview method; 2) a particularly thorough process of carrying out the therapeutic contract, which is individually tailored to the patient’s functioning and systematically discussed before and during treatment; 3) a more active attitude of the therapist compared to other psychodynamic approaches, including systematic discussion of the patient’s non-verbal behaviour and constant monitoring of the therapist’s countertransference, as well as examination of the patient’s reactions to the therapist’s activity and comments; and 4) the need for the therapist to move away from a neutral stance in situations of danger to the patient or breach of the therapeutic contract.

This form of treatment not only provides relief through symptomatologic change, such as a reduction in impulsive behaviour or a reduction in symptoms of pathological anxiety or depression, but above all is an approach that changes the underlying disturbed personality structure. The most fundamental changes occur in the way we experience ourselves and relate to others, resulting in a more fulfilling life. TFP therapy offers patients the hope of improving their social and occupational functioning, emotional relationships and creativity.

Transference Focused Therapy is distinguished by a certain degree of proceduralising in this method, allowing easy access to detailed manuals, more precise empirical verification and a relatively easier training process for the application of this psychotherapy.
ISTFP: The development of TFP gave rise to the founding of the International Society of Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (ISTFP), which is charged with educating and certifying new TFP therapists, as well as popularising the method through systematic research, publications and international conferences.