Transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) is an intensive, manualized, outpatient, evidence-based psychotherapy for severe personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder (BPD) and narcissistic personality disorder. Its efficacy has been demonstrated in multiple studies, with regard to both symptom change and changes in personality structure. TFP is recognized as one of the “big four” psychotherapies for treating BPD in a number of treatment guidelines and reviews, including the Society of Clinical Psychology’s Committee on Science and Practice, the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines, Cochrane Reviews, and the Netherlands’ Multidisciplinary Directive for Personality Disorders.

This entry discusses the goals, structure, techniques, and indications for TFP. It also discusses therapist qualifications for treatment and the research supporting the efficacy of TFP.