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Chapter 4 - An Outline of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

from Part 1: - An Overview of the Model

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 August 2023

Adam Polnay ,
Rhiannon Pugh ,
Victoria Barker ,
David Bell ,
Allan Beveridge ,
Adam Burley ,
Allyson Lumsden ,
C. Susan Mizen  and
Lauren Wilson
Foreword by
Nancy McWilliams
Adam Polnay
Affiliation:
The State Hospital, Carstairs and Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh
Victoria Barker
Affiliation:
East London NHS Foundation Trust, London
David Bell
Affiliation:
British Psychoanalytic Society
Allan Beveridge
Affiliation:
Royal College of Psychiatrists, London
Adam Burley
Affiliation:
Rivers Centre, Edinburgh
Allyson Lumsden
Affiliation:
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
C. Susan Mizen
Affiliation:
Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter
Lauren Wilson
Affiliation:
Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh
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Summary

This chapter is a summary of psychodynamic psychotherapy and includes elements of the theory and technique of psychodynamic psychotherapy. It starts with a brief description of what it is and drawing on work by Blagys and Hilsenroth. Seven key features of psychodynamic psychotherapy are described. There is a very brief outline of the various schools of psychotherapy in order to orient the reader. This is followed by brief practical sections explaining the differences between brief and long-term therapy, and between open-ended and closed therapy. Practicalities involved in combining therapy with psychotropic medication are discussed.

Keywords

Psychodynamic psychotherapyopen-ended therapybrief therapydistinguishing features
Type
Chapter
Information
Cambridge Guide to Psychodynamic Psychotherapy , pp. 65 - 78
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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