Outpatient management of the borderline adolescent

In summary an attempt is made in this paper to describe the psychopathology of the borderline patient. Descriptive features of the syndrome in children, adults and adolescents are given based on the respective work of Pine, Masterson and Kernberg. The psychic structures of the borderline patient are discussed with their resulting treatment implications. Genetic considerations with their effects on the psychotherapy of the borderline are reviewed. Finally the outpatient treatment strategies of the borderline adolescent are presented in detail including countertransference issues frequently encountered in the course of their treatment.