Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy : An Analysis of the Key Principles

In this book, the author succeeds in showing short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy to be an authentic and accepted method of therapy. She roots the concept in tradition and also introduces the reader to the relevant contemporary literature. In examining several cases in detail she draws out the key principles involved to present these in a clear and concise manner and demonstrates aspects of the method in practice. This book is both an excellent introduction and in depth exposition so it is highly relevant to the experienced practitioner or student. It will appeal to people both lay and professional who have an interest in an approach to therapy that is condensed but not diluted.'This book concentrates on short term psychodynamic psychotherapy. It aims to discover and analyse the key principles involved. It also aims to enrich the understanding of an approach to therapy that is already of benefit to many in our community, but that could reach very many others if it were better known and understood.'- From the Introduction. INDEX OF APPENDIX AND TABLES 7 INDEX OF ILLUSTRATIONS 8 Acknowledgements 9 About the author 11 Introduction 13 CHAPTER ONE: Why this book? A personal and contextual perspective 17 CHAPTER TWO: Setting the parameters 27 CHAPTER THREE: Theoretical framework and methodology 31 CHAPTER FOUR: Findings from the initial cycles of analysis 45 CHAPTER FIVE: Part One: Analysis of the emergent key themes: findings from the in-depth cycle of analysis 67 5.1.1. What is understood by the phrase "short-term" 70 5.1.2. Psychodynamic roots 80 5.1.3. Flexibility 94 5.1.4. Activity 122 5.1.5. The focus in focal and short-term psychotherapy 149 5.1.6. The therapeutic alliance and motivation 170 5.1.7. Importance of the first session 182 Part Two: Summary of the findings from the in-depth analysis of the key themes and provisional conclusions 207 CHAPTER SIX: Client commentaries: C, M and 1 and a complete case example: Case I 215 6.1. Client C's commentary 216 6.2. Client M's commentary 218 6.3. Client I's complete case 221 6.4. Client I's comment on the therapy experience 238 CHAPTER SEVEN: The analysis within the wider context of the latest thinking in the field 241 CHAPTER EIGHT: Inconsistency in the "universal characteristics" seen in the literature 263 CHAPTER NINE: Concluding chapter: Brief psychodynamic psychotherapy: A contextual framework and key principles 271 APPENDIX 291 BIBLIOGRAPHY 293

'This book concentrates on short term psychodynamic psychotherapy. It aims to discover and analyse the key principles involved. It also aims to enrich the understanding of an approach to therapy that is already of benefit to many in our community, but that could reach very many others if it were better known and understood.' - from the Introduction.