Psychoanalysis and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Psychoanalysis is both a theory and method for understanding human psychology, and, in particular, the development and function of emotions. Psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic therapy are ‘talking therapies’ designed to help people to manage emotional conflicts that manifest in the form of mental symptoms, relationships with other people, and interpersonal and occupational functioning. Psychoanalysis is based upon Freud’s idea that we are not aware of our feelings and the conflicts in them, and the ways that we defend against them. Unconscious mental representations are thought to be developed throughout our lives, and include conflicted emotions that involve simultaneous wishes and fears. Psychoanalysis helps to explore these representations and bring them to consciousness in the context of the therapeutic relationship, allowing for change to take place (Marcus, 2002). Read more
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Assessment
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Adult Attachment Interview Protocol
| George, Kaplan, Main | 1985
- Interview protocol
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Current Relationship Interview (Version 4)
| Crowell, Owens | 1998
- Scale
- Reference Crowell, J. & Owens, G. (1998) Manual For The Current Relationship Interview And Scoring System. Version 4. Retrieved (current date) from http://ww.psychology.sunysb.edu/attachment/ measures/content/cri_manual.pdf.
Case Conceptualization / Case Formulation
- Teaching psychodynamic formulation to psychiatric trainees – basics of formulation
- Teaching psychodynamic formulation to psychiatric trainees – teaching methods
- Formulation from a psychodynamic perspective
Information (Professional)
- Incorporating Attachment Theory into Practice: Clinical Practice Guideline for Clinical Psychologists working with People who have Intellectual Disabilities | British Psychological Society | 2017
- Attachment theory: a brief overview (OCTC Practical Guides) | Gavin Evans | 2015
Presentations
- Trauma and attachment | Heather Busser-DeMarte
Video
- The importance of soft toys | Donald Winnicott
Recommended Reading
- Driessen, E., Hegelmaier, L. M., Abbass, A. A., Barber, J. P., Dekker, J. J., Van, H. L., … & Cuijpers, P. (2015). The efficacy of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy for depression: A meta-analysis update.Clinical Psychology Review,42, 1-15
- Leichsenring, F., Klein, S., & Salzer, S. (2014). The efficacy of psychodynamic psychotherapy in specific mental disorders: a 2013 update of empirical evidence.Contemporary Psychoanalysis,50(1-2), 89-130
- Shedler, J. (2010). The efficacy of psychodynamic psychotherapy.American psychologist,65(2), 98
References
- Marcus, E. R. (2002). Psychoanalytic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, overview. In M. Hersen & W. H. Sledge (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Psychotherapy, Volume 2(pp. 423–430). Amsterdam, Netherlands: Academic Press.