Brief Psychodynamic Therapy (BPT)-> Neo-Freudian Psychoanalytic Therapies

4 Groups of Post + Neo-Freudian Psychoanalytic Techniques

1. Analytical Psych (Jung)

2. Ego Psych (Horney, Sullivan, Anna Freud)

3. Object Relations Theorists (Klein, Bowlby, Sullivan, Mahler)

4. Self Psych (Kohut)

Ferenczi + Alexander

Developed Psychodynamic Therapy

Who is brief psychodynamic therapy (BPT) active for?

Both clients + therapists

Brief Psychodynamic Therapy (BPT)

An active approach; Believed to be a corrective emotional learning experience to help clients resole past conflict through new learning

Strupp + Levenson

Developed time-limited dynamic psychotherapy, which is a model of brief psychodynamic therapy (BPT)

Time-Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy

A model of BPT; Interpersonal + time sensitive approach to help ppl relate to others in a more functional manner

Strupp + Levenson

How long is the therapy in BPT?

Brief

BPT Focus

Focus on intrapsychic conflicts

Therapists in BPT

Are active + use interpretation + challenging; Termination is viewed as important

Should be pos + exploratory

Ego Strengthening

When people can successfully deal with uncomfortable urges, they become less anxious; when the ego is strengthened, coping becomes better

Triangle of Insights

Interpretations from the therapist that connect emotional past relationships, emotional current relationships, + therapeutic relationships

Triangle of Conflict

Defense mechanisms ppl use to protect themselves from anxiety in relationships

Emphasis of Therapeutic Process for BPT

Goals, efficiency, + interactive therapeutic relationship

Type of Therapeutic Relationship in BPT

Interactive; Warm + affirming

5 Phases of BPT List

1. Client-Therapist Encounter

2. Early Treatment

3. Height of Treatment

4. Evidence of Change

5. Termination

Overall goal of Time-Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy

To change patterns of interpersonal relationships

Supportive Techniques

Used to help clients feel safe during therapy; Must be used before expressive techniques

Ex. Est boundaries, empathetic statements, acknowledging process, + being genuine

Expressive Techniques

Clients express thoughts, feelings, + urges → the unconscious is brought to conscious

Ex. Empathetic statements, clarification, confrontation, interp

Should expressive or supportive techniques be used first?

Supportive techniques

Countertransference

Viewed as a “form of interpersonal empathy”; Therapists use themselves to help clients re-experience the conflict in their previous relationships

Who is BPT effective for?

Wide variety of population + presenting concerns → the brief therapy is suitable + convenient for many people, but therapists should do a thorough assessment to det if the client would benefit

Particular effective for ppl with personality disorders

Who is BPT particularly effective for?

Ppl with personality disorders

What does BPT incorporate?

Cognitive, behavioral, + experiential interventions

Pros of BPT

• Addresses the impact of early experiences + relationships on mental health

• Addresses severe psychopathology including personality disorders

• De-emphasized importance of sexuality

• Thorough views of human behav

Cons of BPT

• Difficult to understand concepts

• Definitions are complex + complicated

• Some approaches only address certain probs so there is limited applicability

• Similarities b/w the approaches make it difficult to understand the differences

Focal Concern

Est of a direction + goals for counseling; Typically involves exploring conflict in interpersonal relationships

Ex. The core conflictual relationship theme (CCRT)

Core Conflictual Relationship Theme (CCRT)

Focuses on 3 themes of a focal concern

1. Patient’s wishes from the other person

2. Other person’s actual or expected responses

3. How the patient responds

Selection Criteria for BPT

Candidates require at least one healthy past or present relationship, a circumscribed chief complaint, mature defense mechanisms, and motivation for growth

Rules for Countertransference Disclosure

1. Must relate directly to current client material

2. Reflects an immediate emotional reaction to the client

3. Done strictly in the client’s best interest