In TFP, this technique supports the structured exploration of dominant self-other dyads, affect, defenses, contract issues, and shifts in the transference relationship. The clinical focus is Working with Splitting and Role Reversals, applied with careful pacing, explicit observation, and attention to the therapeutic relationship.
Step-by-step guide
- Set the frame and name the concrete situation or relational moment.
- Introduce Working with Splitting and Role Reversals in plain language and connect it to the live material.
- Track affect, body signals, defenses, and shifts in the relationship.
- Invite the client to observe the pattern from a reflective position.
- Link the observation to an alternative response or a question for the next session.
When to use
- When the pattern appears in the current session or in a recent relationship
- When the client can stay reflective enough to explore it safely
- When naming the process supports insight, integration, or Adult choice
Key phrases
Let us slow this down and look at Working with Splitting and Role Reversals as it is happening here.
Follow-up questions
What did you notice in yourself at that moment?
What role did the other person seem to occupy?
Alternative phrasings
We do not have to solve it immediately; first we need to see the pattern clearly.
Can we hold both sides of the experience without forcing one to disappear?
Warnings
- ⚠️ Do not use the concept as a label or accusation
- ⚠️ Pace interpretation according to the client capacity for reflection
- ⚠️ Prioritize safety, grounding, and the treatment frame when affect escalates
Source: Kernberg, Yeomans, Clarkin, Caligor, and Transference-Focused Psychotherapy manuals and studies
Materials are informational and educational and summarize publicly available scientific sources. They are not medical or psychological advice, are not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment, and do not replace consultation with a qualified professional.