The uncovering of projective identification in the treatment of the borderline adolescent.

This paper illustrates a clinical finding from intensive family and individual therapy with borderline adolescents: The properly handled uncovering of projective identification leads to the building of parental empathy, and allows for the reopening of emotional growth for the adolescent and his parents. Projective identification is defined and applied in the context of intensive therapy, and its place is established as a link between interpersonal family relations and intrapsychic structure. The process of the uncovering of a specific object-relations conflict which had been defended by projective identification is illustrated by excerpts from the treatment situation.