Separation of therapist and administrator in hospital treatment of borderline patients.

In the hospital treatment of borderline patients, separation of the roles of therapist and administrative psychiatrist may help resolve some treatment difficulties and promote the patient's personality growth and development. The administrative psychiatrist directs the initial evaluation of the patient, arranges specific therapeutic activities, directs the treatment team, and deals with the patient's family. The therapist, who is removed from the patient's day-to-day activities, can then be more detached and help the patient explore the interactions and frustrations occurring with the administrative psychiatrist. Such a system also provides significant support and clinical advantages both to the patient's family and to the treatment team.