Psychotherapist, psychiatrist, and patient : a triadic relationship

An increasing number of psychiatrists consult to nonmedical psychotherapists and treat their patients with medication. This dual treatment arrangement is known as "split treatment." Split treatment arrangements generate a triangular relationship among the three parties-patient, psychotherapist, and psychiatrist. Both the transferential aspects of the triangular relationship among the two therapists and a patient and the overt interpersonal conflicts that may arise-such as ideological and interdisciplinary conflicts-are discussed. Enhanced awareness of both sets of factors may facilitate the cooperation between psychiatrists and psychotherapists.