Whereas psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapy have traditionally avoided focusing too much on specific symptoms or problems--lest they interfere with free association--this new guide articulates the value of more active and symptom-focused interventions. Having worked on focused psychodynamic treatments of panic disorder, depression, trauma, and behavioral change, Fredric Busch, M.D. expands on that work here, articulating how a focused approach can be adapted for patients in general. Drawing on a wealth of case vignettes, the book describes how to apply Problem-Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (PrFPP) to symptoms, personality issues, behavioral problems, and relationship difficulties. It provides novice and experienced clinicians alike with the tools they need to help patients identify problem areas and understand how specific dynamics emerge in different contexts and overlap in contributing to issues. The psychodynamic techniques readers will glean in these pages demonstrate how to rapidly address core difficulties, expanding patients' self-reflective capacities and the identification of their own dynamics--even in the case of short-term interventions.

This manual presents a carefully researched, detailed psychodynamic treatment program for the alleviation of a transdiagnostic range of primary Axis I anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and related psychological problems. First exploring the principles of psychodynamic theory and formulation, the authors then present a three-phased process of Panic Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapy-Extended Range (PFPP-XR): initial evaluation, interpretation of central conflicts and defense mechanisms, and termination. Each phase is discussed in depth and relies on central case illustrations to demonstrate techniques and results. A subsequent chapter explores how to address complex issues that may arise during the course of treatment. Altogether, this manual not only provides a demonstrated, adaptable approach for anxiety disorders, but also clearly embodies a spirit of research and empiricism heretofore rare in psychodynamic psychotherapies, with an eye toward future development.

Trauma Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapy describes a step-by-step approach to a brief evidence-based psychodynamic psychotherapy for PTSD, focusing on veterans. This therapy program aims to develop patients' capacity to better reflect on their experiences and develop an integrated self-awareness of the various factors that affect their mental states and symptoms, all of which contribute to PTSD. The book begins with an overview of the psychodynamic factors relevant to treatment of PTSD, then proceeds to describe the therapy program, articulating how to address potential barriers to engaging the patient, including mistrust, disruptions in narrative coherence, dissociation, shame, and ongoing terror. A chapter is also devoted to discussing the impact of COVID-19 on traumatized patients and the treatment of trauma.

Behavioral change in psychoanalytic treatments -- Psychoanalytic understanding of factors that impede behavioral change -- Identifying and addressing risks in targeting behavioral change -- Psychodynamic techniques in addressing behavioral change -- A framework for targeting behavioral change -- Identifying dynamic contributors to problematic behaviors -- Identifying alternative behaviors -- Identifying interfering factors in performing alternative behaviors -- Working with the degree and impact of behavioral change -- Specific behavioral problems and engaging the patient in addressing them -- Addressing behavioral problems related to adverse developmental experiences and trauma

Traditionally, psychoanalytically oriented clinicians have eschewed a direct focus on symptoms, viewing it as superficial turning away from underlying psychopathology. But this assumption is an artifact of a dated classical approach; it should be reexamined in the light of contemporary relational thinking. So argues Mary Connors in Symptom-Focused Dynamic Psychotherapy, an integrative project that describes cognitive-behavioral techniques that have been demonstrated to be empirically effective and may be productively assimilated into dynamic psychotherapy. What is the warrant for symptom-focused interventions in psychodynamic treatment? Connors argues that the deleterious impact of symptoms on the patient's physical and emotional well being often impedes psychodynamic engagement. Symptoms associated with addictive disorders, eating disorders, OCD, and posttraumatic stress receive special attention. With patients suffering from these and other symptoms, Connors finds, specific cognitive-behavior techniques may relieve symptomatic distress and facilitate a psychodynamic treatment process, with its attentiveness to the therapeutic relationship and the analysis of transference-countertransference. Connors' model of integrative psychotherapy, which makes cognitive-behavioral techniques responsive to a comprehensive understanding of symptom etiology, offers a balanced perspective that attends to the relational embeddedness of symptoms without skirting the therapeutic obligation to alleviate symptomatic distress. In fact, Connors shows, active techniques of symptom management are frequently facilitative of treatment goals formulated in terms of relational psychoanalysis, self psychology, intersubjectivity theory, and attachment research. A discerning effort to enrich psychodynamic treatment without subverting its conceptual ground, Symptom-Focused Dynamic Psychotherapy is a bracing antidote to the timeworn mindset that makes a virtue of symptomatic suffering.

Presenting a pragmatic, evidence-based approach to conducting psychodynamic therapy, this engaging guide is firmly grounded in contemporary clinical practice and research. The book reflects an openness to new influences on dynamic technique, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and positive psychology. It offers a fresh understanding of the most common problems for which patients seek help -- depression, obsessionality, low self-esteem, fear of abandonment, panic, and trauma -- and shows how to organize and deliver effective psychodynamic interventions. Extensive case material illustrates each stage of therapy, from engagement to termination. Special topics include ways to integrate individual treatment with psychopharmacology and with couple or family work.

This manual presents a carefully researched, detailed psychodynamic treatment program for the alleviation of a transdiagnostic range of primary Axis I anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and related psychological problems. First exploring the principles of psychodynamic theory and formulation, the authors then present a three-phased process of Panic Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapy-Extended Range (PFPP-XR): initial evaluation, interpretation of central conflicts and defense mechanisms, and termination. Each phase is discussed in depth and relies on central case illustrations to demonstrate techniques and results. A subsequent chapter explores how to address complex issues that may arise during the course of treatment. Altogether, this manual not only provides a demonstrated, adaptable approach for anxiety disorders, but also clearly embodies a spirit of research and empiricism heretofore rare in psychodynamic psychotherapies, with an eye toward future development.