DIFFICULTIES IN THE THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP IN COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY. YOUNGS'S SCHEMA THERAPY IN WORK WITH BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER

According to popular opinions, the therapeutic relationship in cognitive-behavioral therapy is not as equally important as the techniques. It is often assumed that cognitive therapists view the relationship with a patient only as a prerequisite to change and that this relationship doesn't lead to change by itself and that they overlook important emotions between patient and therapist. Contrary to these opinions some streams of CBT to a large extent make use of the therapeutic relationship. In this paper, the Schema Therapy of Jeffrey Young (Young's Schema Therapy - YST) in work with borderline personality disorder, is presented. Young assumes, that the borderline personality disorder develops, when a person with a reactive temperament deals with emotions and unfulfilled needs in maladaptive ways. The aim of the therapy is showing patients other patterns of thinking, behaving and treating their own needs. The therapist uses a method of a limited parenting, trying to engage the therapeutic relationship in a process of change. The YST therapist should be flexible and responsive to emotional shifts in a patient during the session and work differently with different schema modes. Limits of the setting also have a curing function. During supervision, schemas of the therapist and their influence on the therapy process are discussed.