The therapist has to form a therapeutic alliance with the patient. Diagnostically that means that the therapist separates the emotionally ill part of the patient from the healthy part of the patient and makes an alliance with the healthy part of the patient so that these two people together are consciously working to help the patient overcome the self-destructive behavior patterns and interpersonal difficulties that have gotten in their way. Within this real relationship, the therapist purposefully serves as a stand-in for important relationships and figures from the past, assisting as the patient makes room now for feelings and thoughts that had to be blocked long ago. And then acts as a guide later to help the patient observe what happens to them and slowly process these things that they go through.