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The author defines the spectrum of the borderline patient who shares the dangers and fears of dissolution and loss of identity with the psychotic. Maintaining individuation and preservation of identity are the primary concerns of therapy. While the borderline patient displays disturbances in the relationship of the ego to reality and objects, he retains to some degree the capacity to test reality. The threat of break-through of primitive fantasies and the tendency to regression in stress situations in the presence of poor ego control are conducive to impulsive behavior. Psychotherapy, even if exploratory, should be directed toward discouraging such manifestations. While we may interpret defenses brought about by the ego weakness, we should not attempt to interpret the defect itself while trying to repair it. The therapist must delineate the defect and the defense for himself and for the patient. Although the patient should be made aware of the defect and of the attempt to remedy it, interpretation of the defect and the patient's inability to understand such interpretation may be harmful. Therapy should be directed toward establishing reality constancy by re-enforcing the patient's trust in his own perceptions and by answering questions reflecting his uncertainties. It is important that the therapist not align himself with the patient against the parents, although he may acknowledge the appropriateness as well as the distortions within the transference.