Kernberg's theories: Some clinical applications

Combined group and individual treatment by the same therapist is recommended for borderline and narcissistic patients. Modified psychoanalytic therapy that systematically focuses on aggressive drive derivatives and differentiates libidinal from aggressive components of self and object representations, and pregenital from genital condensed instinctual aims, is outlined. The group setting allows patients to observe and experience social and interpersonal behavior and indirectly to work through transference resistance and splitting. Innovative techniques focusing on the body, imagery dimensions, and serial role-playing are suggested. The complementary and reciprocal relationship between individual and group treatment focuses on discovery of the authentic self.