Citation

Plakun EM. J. Am. Acad. Psychoanal. Dyn. Psychiatry 2009; 37(3): 539-560.

Affiliation

The Austen Riggs Center, Stockbridge, MA 01262, USA. eric.plakun@austenriggs.net

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry, Publisher Guilford Publications)

DOI

10.1521/jaap.2009.37.3.539

PMID

19764850

Abstract

Treatment resistance has emerged as a significant issue, with evidence of a high risk of suicide in this population. This article reviews the history of the concept of the therapeutic alliance, argues for its central importance in work with suicidal and self-destructive patients, and introduces ABIS, an Alliance-Based Intervention for Suicide that is carried out as part of psychodynamic psychotherapy. Principles of ABIS are delineated and explained.

Language: en