Problem-Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

For many years, the general rule of thumb in psychoanalysis
and psychodynamic psychotherapy has been to refrain from focusing too much
on specific symptoms or problems so as to not interfere with free
association or the effectiveness of the psychoanalytic approach.

This
volume articulates how a focused psychodynamic psychotherapeutic approach
can be adapted for patients in general. Rather than one specific aspect of
patients' difficulties, Problem Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (PrFPP)
focuses on the set of problems (e.g., symptoms, relationship issues,
behavioral difficulties) a particular patient brings into the consulting
room.

Through numerous tables and a wealth of case vignettes, this
guide provides novice and experienced clinicians alike with a general
template for working with patients to identify and address the overlapping
and unique dynamics of various problems.

It describes how to use
psychodynamic exploratory techniques to make problem lists and examine the
context and emotions surrounding each issue. It also discusses how to
develop a psychodynamic formulation to provide a framework for identifying
and addressing the dynamic contributors to the various
problems.

Therapist and patient can then undertake the "working
through" process to identify how specific dynamics emerge in different
contexts and overlap in contributing to problems.

All of these
approaches help spur patients' self-reflective capacities and the
identification of their own dynamics-making it possible to more rapidly
address core difficulties. The work also enables the continued use of these
modes of managing problems after the treatment is completed.

And
because PrFPP is suitable for short- and longer-term interventions, it is
valuable for patients who either cannot commit to long-term treatment or
only have access to brief interventions.