Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy

Short-term dynamic psychotherapy applies psychoanalytic principles to define and understand the dynamics and problems that clients bring to the therapy session. The aim of this approach is to uncover the feelings or thoughts that interfere with a client's relationships, communication, and daily functioning.

To be effective, the therapist must work quickly to engage the client in the therapeutic process, uncovering defences and gaining the trust of the client in a brief time. As the therapist forms an alliance that allows honest communication, both parties explore any relevant historical and current events that may prevent healthy functioning.

In this video, Donald K. Freedheim works with a single parent who initially presents with concerns and anxieties about her daughter's well-being. As the demonstration unfolds, Dr. Freedheim deftly shifts the focus back to the client herself and uncovers the client's key issue - her unexpressed anger - and explores how that anger has interfered with the development of healthy relationships.