The author describes the functioning of a therapeutic community for border line-adolescents with a non-professional, largly post-adolescent staff. Separation-anxiety, depression, anti-social and 'acting out' behavior are prominent features of the clients' mental make-up. Working with non-professional staff provider peculiar problems. The psychodynamic difficulties they encounter: the danger of over-identification, the reactions with counter-transference, and their role conflicts are briefly discussed. The authors' conclusion is that, if good training and coaching is provided, the special qualities of these non-professionals will come forth, these being their enormous love for and application to the so much retarded clients.