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The Journal of Psychotherapy Practice and Research logoLink to The Journal of Psychotherapy Practice and Research
. 1996 Winter;5(1):1–19.

Two Paradigmatic Approaches to Borderline Patients With a History of Trauma

The Expressive Psychotherapy of Otto Kernberg and the Trauma Model of Judith Lewis Herman

JUDITH L LEWIS 1
PMCID: PMC3330408  PMID: 22700260

Abstract

A significant number of patients with the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder have a history of childhood trauma. This article attempts to integrate the treatment approach of Judith Herman to traumatized patients with the psychodynamic approach of Otto Kernberg to borderline patients. To facilitate paradigm shifts between these two approaches, they are presented side by side with one set of terms translated into the other. Aspects of the therapeutic relationship and process are compared and contrasted, and a preliminary attempt is made to integrate these two treatment models.

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