A New Edition of the Basic and Applied Training Course in Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP) Successfully Concludes

This June, the ”Institut TFP Barcelona” successfully concluded a new edition of its Basic and Applied Training Course in Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP), which was delivered online between January and June 2026.

The program, primarily aimed at psychiatrists and clinical psychologists interested in the specialized treatment of personality disorders, was completed by 17 mental health professionals, all of whom successfully fulfilled the course requirements and received the corresponding theoretical and technical certification.

Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP) is an evidence-based treatment model specifically developed for individuals with severe personality disorders, particularly Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). The course is designed to provide participants with the theoretical knowledge and technical skills required to deliver rigorous, structured, and evidence-based clinical interventions.

Over the course of six months of intensive training, participants explored the conceptual foundations of TFP while developing practical competencies in diagnostic assessment, establishing the therapeutic framework, managing the therapeutic relationship, and understanding the transference and countertransference processes that arise in clinical practice.

The course combined theoretical instruction, discussion of clinical material, and reflective learning sessions aimed at facilitating the integration of knowledge into everyday clinical work. This approach enables professionals to acquire the specific competencies required to provide psychotherapeutic treatment for patients with personality disorders, even without prior psychoanalytic training, provided they possess the interest, dedication, and commitment necessary to develop this clinical approach.

A particular highlight of this edition was the closing session, where we had the great privilege of welcoming Professor Otto Kernberg, the founder of TFP, who delivered a keynote lecture on the characteristics of an effective psychotherapist.

The training provided by the TFP Barcelona Institute is officially accredited by the International Society of Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (ISTFP). Upon completion of the program, participants receive a certificate confirming that they have successfully completed the theoretical and technical training required within the educational pathway established by the Society.

Furthermore, this certification represents a key milestone in the process of becoming a TFP specialist. Professionals who continue their training through supervised clinical casework may subsequently apply for international certification as Transference-Focused Psychotherapy therapists.

The TFP Barcelona Institute is already preparing its upcoming educational activities, with the aim of continuing to promote specialized training, research, and professional development in the field of Transference-Focused Psychotherapy.