Is it possible to effect deep, lasting, meaningful psychological change in a short period of time?

This volume, through scholarly presentation, aims to provide even the psychodynamic school of thought with a short-term approach. The authors present the basic principles of the technique, interspersed with personal, clinical material.

Traditionally, psychoanalytic treatment has been a lengthy endeavour, requiring a long-term commitment from patient and analyst, as well as vast financial resources. More recently, short-term approaches to psychoanalytic treatment have proliferated. One of the most well-known and thoroughly studied is the groundbreaking method of Intensive Short-term Dynamic Psychotherapy, developed by Dr. Habib Davanloo. Having trained directly with Dr. Davenloo, the author has written a clear, concise outline of the method that has come to be regarded as a classic in the field. The book is organised in a systematic fashion, analogous to the process of therapy itself, from initial contact through to termination and follow-up. Detailed clinical examples are presented throughout the text to illustrate how theory is translated into techniques of unparalleled power and effectiveness.

This unique guide brings together leading practitioners to demonstrate the nuts-and-bolts of their brief work with couples. The time- and cost-effective models discussed are explicitly short-term - not long-term on fast forward - and detailed case excerpts and clinical examples highlight how each form of therapy is actually conducted. Practicing therapists and students alike will find much of value in this illuminating and practical resource.

As a mental health professional, you know it’s a real challenge to help clients develop the psychological skills they need to live a vital life. This is especially true when you are working with time constraints or in settings where contacts with the client will be brief. Brief Interventions for Radical Change is a powerful resource for any clinician working with clients who are struggling with mental health, substance abuse, or life adjustment issues. If you are searching for a more focused therapeutic approach that requires fewer follow-up visits with clients, or if you are simply looking for a way to make the most of each session, this is your guide. In this book, you’ll find a ready-to-use collection of brief assessment and case-formulation tools, as well as many brief intervention strategies based in focused acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). These tools and strategies can be used to help your clients stop using unworkable behaviors, and instead engage in committed, values-based actions to change their lives for the better. The book includes a practical approach to understanding how clients get stuck, focusing questions to help clients redefine their problem, and tools to increase motivation for change. In addition, you will learn methods for rapidly constructing effective treatment plans and effective interventions for promoting acceptance, present-moment awareness, and contact with personal values. With this book, you will easily integrate important mindfulness, acceptance, and values-based therapeutic work in their interactions with clients suffering from depression, anxiety, or any other mental health problem.

History -- Theory -- The therapy process -- Evaluation -- Future developments.

Argues that with suitable selection criteria and specified therapeutic techniques, short-term dynamic psychotherapy is both feasible and valuable. Contributors address the question of suitablity. In commenting on each others selection criteria, they reveal differences amongst themselves.