The process of change in brief psychotherapy: effects of psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral prototypes.

A brief psychodynamic psychotherapy was assessed using the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Psychotherapy Process Q-Set (PQS). Each session was scored for its adherence to expert psychodynamic therapy (PDT) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) prototypes derived from the PQS. Results revealed that the therapy process adhered more closely to prototypical CBT than prototypical PDT. Bivariate time-series analyses showed that prototype components capturing the client's adherence to ideal CBT behaviors and collaboration between therapist and client on ideal PDT and CBT behaviors predicted therapy progress. In addition, specific client symptoms influenced whether the therapist adhered to prototypical PDT or CBT behaviors.

What is the appropriate time to measure outcome and process factors in psychodynamic psychotherapy?

INTRODUCTION: Different instruments and methods for measuring factors related to the progress and effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapy (PDT) have been widely discussed in the literature. However, there are no established guidelines on the most appropriate time to perform these measurements. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to problematize what is the appropriate time to measure the initial outcomes (symptoms, interpersonal relationships, quality, and social role) and process factors (alliance) in the early stages of PDT. METHODS: A naturalistic cohort study was conducted, following 304 patients during the first six months of psychotherapy. The therapeutic alliance was evaluated after four sessions; symptoms, interpersonal relationships, and social role were evaluated at intake and after 12 and 24 sessions. RESULTS: Our results indicate that four sessions were sufficient to measure the bond dimension of the therapeutic alliance, while more time is probably needed to adequately measure other aspects of the therapeutic alliance, such as tasks and goals. However, 12 sessions of treatment proved sufficient to detect improvements in all dimensions of the outcome instruments with moderate effect sizes, and those gains were stable at the 24th session. CONCLUSION: According to our findings, 12 sessions seem to be sufficient to assess initial gains in PDT, although more studies are needed to evaluate the appropriate time to assess all aspects of the therapeutic alliance. Further studies are also required to evaluate the appropriate time to assess intermediate and long-term progress with regard to symptoms, interpersonal relations, social role and personality reorganization.

Interaction structures in the psychodynamic psychotherapy of a patient with chronic diseases and somatic symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify and analyze the interaction structures (ISs) (patterns of reciprocal interaction between the patient-therapist dyad) that characterize the process of a successful long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (28 months) of a patient with chronic diseases (lupus and fibromyalgia) and somatic symptoms. METHODS: The 113 sessions were videotaped and analyzed alternately (n = 60) by independent judges using the Psychotherapy Process Q-Set. Inter-rater reliability ranged from 0.60 to 0.90, with a mean of r = 0.71 (Pearson's correlation). Through a principal component exploratory factor analysis, four ISs were identified. RESULT: The patterns of interaction between patient and therapist showed clinical validity (i.e., they were easily interpretable in the context of the case under study). The ISs were non-linear and more or less prominent across different treatment sessions and stages. Some ISs were similar to those in other studies, and others were probably unique to the present process. In addition, some ISs were independent, whereas others were interrelated over time. CONCLUSION: Process studies, such as the present one, seek to address questions about the characteristics of the interaction between patient and therapist as well as to identify particular patterns of interaction that are most prominent with a specific patient at a specific condition or time. Therefore, these studies can provide some support in establishing knowledge for clinical practice, assisting in the training of therapists, as well as in the elaboration of general guidelines for the technical management of patients with specific characteristics.

Psychoanalysis in a changing world.

The author reflects, in this opening speech of the IPA Berlin Congress, on some changes in the world, in Germany and in psychoanalysis in the 85 years that have elapsed since the previous congress in Berlin, in 1922. He emphasizes important developments in psychoanalytic theory and practice, research and applications to understand several wider realms. He also stresses the importance of psychoanalysis for the current discussion on the transgenerational effects of traumatic events, and connects all these aspects with the theme of the Congress-remembering, repeating and working through.

On the therapeutic action of psychoanalysis.

The author discusses therapeutic action as addressed in contributions by Klein, the post-Kleinians, and Willy and Madeleine Baranger He highlights the roles played by psychoanalytic listening and psychoanalytic neutrality in therapeutic action, and presents a detailed clinical vignette to illustrate his points.

Adult mood disorders and childhood psychological trauma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between adult mood disorders and childhood psychological trauma in a developing country. METHOD: Adults with and without mood disorders were assessed in a case-control study using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Assessment of childhood trauma included physical and sexual abuse, frequent exposure to violence, and parental loss. RESULTS: In two independent multivariate analyses, after adjusting for potential confounding factors, we found a higher odds ratio for frequent exposure to violence in the community (p = .037) and for physical abuse by parents or caregivers during childhood/adolescence (p = .012) in the group with mood disorders than in the control group. In secondary analyses splitting the mood disorder group in two subgroups (manic episode, and major depressive episodes/ dysthymia), only manic patients showed significantly higher rates of frequent exposure to violence in the community (p = 0.01) and physical abuse during childhood (p = 0.02) than did patients in the control group. In addition, maniac patients had significantly higher rates of sexual abuse than did controls (p = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings document an association between violence during childhood and adult mood disorders, especially for manic patients, in a developing country.

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Rating Scale for Countertransference (RSCT) to American English.

INTRODUCTION:: The Rating Scale for Countertransference (RSCT) - originally, Escala para Avaliação de Contratransferência (EACT) - is a self-administered instrument comprising questions that assess 23 feelings (divided into three blocs, closeness, distance, and indifference) that access conscious countertransferential emotions and sentiments. This paper describes the process of translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the RSCT into American English. METHODS:: This study employed the guidelines proposed by the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) Task Force for Translation and Cultural Adaptation which define 10 steps for translation and cross-cultural adaptation of self-report instruments. Additionally, semantic equivalence tools were employed to select the final versions of terms used. The author of the RSCT gave permission for translation and took part in the process. The instrument is available for use free of charge. RESULTS:: Analysis of the back-translation showed that just seven of the 23 terms needed to be adjusted to arrive at the final version in American English. CONCLUSIONS:: This study applied rigorous standards to construct a version of the RSCT in American English. This version of the RSCT translated and adapted into American English should be of great use for accessing and researching countertransferential feelings that are part of psychodynamic treatment.

Approaching countertransference in psychoanalytical supervision: a qualitative investigation.

A recent examination of the literature concerning countertransference and its developments reveals its clinical usefulness in different psychoanalytical cultures. Nevertheless, a shortage of publications is apparent with respect to its approach in supervision. The authors' aim in this study was to examine the concepts of transference and countertransference and how countertransference is approached in supervision, in the training of candidates, at an institute of psychoanalysis belonging to a society affiliated to the International Psychoanalytical Association (IPA). Qualitative research was carried out, interviewing supervisors and supervisees. Through analysis of the material acquired, the authors classified the data into initial, intermediate and final categories. The principal findings were subdivided into three categories: the concepts of transference and countertransference, psychoanalytical listening and the complementarity of the phenomena, and the approach to countertransference. The concepts of transference and countertransference predominantly used by those interviewed are based on the totalistic outlook. Countertransference in supervision has been approached in a more direct and objective way when compared with the previous period, although great care is taken to delimit the boundaries between supervision and personal analysis. The main aim of supervision is to broaden comprehension and to deepen the interpretations directed towards the patient. These findings suggest that the evolution of the concept of countertransference in different psychoanalytical cultures and developments in the analytical field are contributing to this change.

The father, the father function, the father principle: some contemporary psychoanalytic developments.

The author discusses Freud's thinking on the role of the father, as well as that of later French theoreticians. To illustrate his remarks, he draws on the poetry of Carlos Drummond de Andrade (1912-1987), a Brazilian poet whose work often dealt with themes of the father, the family, and his own paternal relationship. The author also discusses the psychic formation of the father principle and how this may be evident in the clinical analytic setting, even when the analyst's approach privileges field theory, intersubjectivity, or other concepts emphasizing the relationship between analyst and patient.

Countertransference and therapeutic alliance in the early stage of adult psychodynamic psychotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this study was to assess the relationship between countertransference (CT) and therapeutic alliance (TA) during the early stages of psychodynamic psychotherapy. A secondary objective is to assess associations between CT and variables related to therapist and patient and between CT and other patient variables investigated, which were defense mechanisms, symptomology and functionality. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional study that enrolled 30 patients treated by 17 different therapists at the psychotherapy clinics of two psychiatry centers. Assessments of each patient-therapist pair were conducted between their fourth and 10th sessions. RESULTS: The CT distance domain exhibited a moderate negative correlation with TA, particularly its sub-dimension representing the patient's capacity for work in therapy. Moderate positive correlations were observed between CT distance and the splitting defense mechanism and between CT closeness and suppression defenses, in addition to moderate negative correlation between CT indifference and the fantasy defense mechanism. Another finding was higher scores for CT indifference in association with socioeconomic classes D and E. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of CT may provide a source of information about TA. A high degree of CT distance represents a low level of TA, particularly with relation to the patient's working capacity, although presence of the splitting defense mechanism can affect CT, to the extent that it constitutes a confounding variable. The concept of CT is useful to psychotherapists, providing a source of information about the patient's internal world and about certain elements of therapy, such as the quality of TA, which is important for good treatment results.

[The integration of psychopharmacotherapy and psychoanalytical psychotherapy: a critical review]. / A integração da psicofarmacoterapia e psicoterapia de orientação analítica: uma revisão crítica.

OBJECTIVE: Integration between psychotherapy and psychopharmacotherapy has been a conflicting subject in the history of psychiatry. To date, dichotomy between "biological" and "psychological" models is noticed, although recent studies have been showing the importance of the association of these modalities in the current psychiatric practice. This study attempts to review psychodynamic, technical, and other issues involving the integration of pharmacological and psychotherapeutical treatments. METHODS: Literature search was based on MEDLINE, PsychoINFO and Lilacs, referring to the period from 1966 to September 2002. RESULTS: The studies reviewed demonstrated that the application of combined treatment might be positive. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of the combined treatment depends on the capacity of the integration of the different forms of treatment. More research is necessary in this area.

[Psychodynamic group treatment for generalized social phobia]. / Psicoterapia psicodinâmica em grupo para fobia social generalizada.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of psychodynamic group therapy in patients with generalized social phobia. METHODS: Thirty patients were included in a randomized single-blind clinical trial comparing psychodynamic group treatment (PGT) with a credible placebo control group (CPC). PGT was carried out within a 12-session psychodynamically-oriented group psychotherapy. Control patients received a treatment package of lecture-discussion and support group for 12 weeks which was compared to PGT. Each participant completed the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAS) and the Clinical Global Impression Scale(CGI) at pretreatment assessment and after 12 weeks of treatment. Data analysis was carried out using a repeated measures ANOVA. Patients were excluded if they were under any kind of pharmacotherapy or psychotherapic treatment. RESULTS: Both groups demonstrated significant pretreatment-to-posttreatment change on most measures. On the LSAS, PGT patients were rated as more improved than controls at posttest assessment (F(1,28)=4.84, p=0.036). Baseline data of completers did not show differences between both groups in the demographic variables and outcome variables used. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that PGT was [corrected] superior to a credible placebo control group in the treatment of generalized social phobia, in a 12-week randomized single-blind clinical trial.

[Depression detection in a general university hospital: comparison of data between 1987 and 2002]. / Detecção de depressão em hospital geral universitário: comparação entre 1987 e 2002.

A cross-sectional study was made at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil to detect depression in 299 non-psychiatric inpatients in 2002. This study was similar to another one made in 1987. In order to detect depression, PRIME-MD and Beck Depression Inventory were used. After discharge from the hospital, a survey was made in patient records set down by physicians and nurses looking for references on depression symptoms and/or diagnosis. The prevalence of depression was 34.6% (PRIME-MD) and 20.1% (BDI). A comparison between the data from 1987 and 2002 showed the same pattern of under-diagnosis. The paper presents considerations and alternatives to this same deficiency detected once again.

Psychoanalytic enactments: how psychoanalysts understand, identify and work through enactments / Enactment psicanalítico: como psicanalistas entendem, identificam e elaboram / Enactment psicoanalítico: cómo los psicoanalistas entienden, identifican y elaboran

Studies on psychoanalysis are essential and have shown the efficacy of these practices. The psychological functioning of the dyad is always present during this process, expressed through transference, countertransference, projective identification, analytic field, and, more recently, enactments. Objective: To describe how psychoanalysts understand, identify and work through the phenomenon of enactment. Participants: Eight psychoanalysts: two are in training, four are associate members and two training analysts. The anonymity of the participants was assured in the Declaration of Free and Informed Consent. Method: Consisted of a qualitative and descriptive study, the data being interpreted through content analysis (Bardin, 1977). Eight face-to-face semi-structured interviews were held. Results: three final categories of responses: Theoretical Bases, Technical Bases and Level of Experience. Enactment is understood and expressed through the "playing out" of mental conflicts. It possible to detect the patterns of the object relations, brought into the concrete reality of the transferential and countertransferential relationships through projective identification. If enactments are not interpreted, they block the evolution of the therapeutic process, with collusions or impasses between the analytic pair. The interviewees consider it technically useful, as it favours interpretation in the hereand-now of the analytic situation. The length of time of professional work and personal investment for broadening knowledge both promote in the analysts an attitude in which the technique they learned can be used with more security. Enactment is characterised as one of the most current mechanisms that reflect todays emphasis in psychoanalysis on the relationship between the members of the therapeutic dyad.(AU)

Estudos sobre psicanálise são essenciais e demonstram a eficácia dessas práticas. O funcionamento psicológico da díade analítica/psicoterapêutica está sempre presente durante esse processo, expresso por transferência, contratransferência, identificação projetiva, campo analítico e, mais recentemente, enactments. Objetivo: Descrever como os psicanalistas compreendem, identificam e elaboram o fenômeno enactment. Participantes: Oito psicanalistas: dois estão em treinamento, quatro são membros associados e dois analistas didatas. O anonimato dos participantes foi assegurado com o Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido. Método: É um estudo qualitativo/descritivo, sendo os dados interpretados através de Análise de Conteúdo (Bardin, 1977). Foram realizadas oito entrevistas semiestruturadas face a face. Resultados: São identificadas três categorias finais de respostas: Bases Teóricas, Bases Técnicas e Nível de Experiência. O enactment é entendido e expresso através da "encenção" dos conflitos mentais. É possível detectar os padrões das relações objetais, trazidos para a realidade concreta das relações transferenciais e contratransferenciais através da identificação projetiva. Se os enactments não são interpretados, bloqueiam a evolução do processo terapêutico, com colusões ou impasses entre o par analítico. Os entrevistados consideram este fenômeno tecnicamente útil, pois favorece a interpretação no aqui-e-agora da situação analítica. O tempo de trabalho profissional e o investimento pessoal para ampliar o conhecimento promovem nos analistas uma atitude em que a técnica que aprendem pode ser usada com mais segurança. O enactment é caracterizado como um dos mecanismos mais atuais que refletem a ênfase contemporânea da psicanálise na relação entre os membros da dupla analítica/terapêutica.(AU)

Los estudios sobre el psicoanálisis son esenciales y demuestran la eficacia de estas prácticas. El funcionamiento psicológico de la díada analítica / psicoterapéutica está siempre presente durante ese proceso, expresado por transferencia, contratransferencia, identificación proyectiva, campo analítico y, más recientemente, enactments. Objetivo: Describir cómo los psicoanalistas comprenden, identifican y elaboran el fenómeno enactment. Participantes: Ocho psicoanalistas: dos están en entrenamiento, cuatro son miembros asociados y dos analistas didácticos. El anonimato de los participantes fue asegurado con el Término de Consentimiento Libre y Esclarecido. Método: Es un estudio cualitativo / descriptivo, siendo los datos interpretados a través de Análisis de Contenido (Bardin, 1977). Se realizaron ocho entrevistas semiestructuradas cara a cara. Resultados: Se identifican tres categorías finales de respuestas: Bases Teóricas, Bases Técnicas y Nivel de Experiencia. El enactment se entiende y expresa a través de la "escenificación" de los conflictos mentales. Es posible detectar los patrones de las relaciones objetales traídos a la realidad concreta de las relaciones transferenciales y contratransferenciales a través de la identificación proyectiva. Si los enactments no se interpretan, bloquean la evolución del proceso terapéutico, con colusiones o impasses entre el par analítico. Los entrevistados consideran este fenómeno técnicamente útil, pues favorece la interpretación en el aquí y ahora de la situación analítica. El tiempo de trabajo profesional y la inversión personal para ampliar el conocimiento promueven en los analistas una actitud en la que la técnica que aprenden puede ser usada con más seguridad. El enactment se caracteriza como uno de los mecanismos más actuales que reflejan el énfasis contemporáneo del psicoanálisis en la relación entre los miembros del doble analítico / terapéutico.(AU)

What is the appropriate time to measure outcome and process factors in psychodynamic psychotherapy? / Qual o tempo apropriado pata medir fatores de resultado e processo em psicoterapia psicodinâmica?

Abstract Introduction Different instruments and methods for measuring factors related to the progress and effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapy (PDT) have been widely discussed in the literature. However, there are no established guidelines on the most appropriate time to perform these measurements. Objectives The aim of this study is to problematize what is the appropriate time to measure the initial outcomes (symptoms, interpersonal relationships, quality, and social role) and process factors (alliance) in the early stages of PDT. Methods A naturalistic cohort study was conducted, following 304 patients during the first six months of psychotherapy. The therapeutic alliance was evaluated after four sessions; symptoms, interpersonal relationships, and social role were evaluated at intake and after 12 and 24 sessions. Results Our results indicate that four sessions were sufficient to measure the bond dimension of the therapeutic alliance, while more time is probably needed to adequately measure other aspects of the therapeutic alliance, such as tasks and goals. However, 12 sessions of treatment proved sufficient to detect improvements in all dimensions of the outcome instruments with moderate effect sizes, and those gains were stable at the 24th session. Conclusion According to our findings, 12 sessions seem to be sufficient to assess initial gains in PDT, although more studies are needed to evaluate the appropriate time to assess all aspects of the therapeutic alliance. Further studies are also required to evaluate the appropriate time to assess intermediate and long-term progress with regard to symptoms, interpersonal relations, social role and personality reorganization.

Resumo Introdução Diferentes instrumentos e formas de medir fatores relacionados ao progresso e à efetividade da psicoterapia psicodinâmica (PDT) têm sido amplamente discutidos na literatura. No entanto, não há diretrizes estabelecidas sobre o tempo apropriado para que essas medidas sejam realizadas. Objetivos O objetivo deste estudo é problematizar qual o momento apropriado para medir resultados iniciais (sintomas, relações interpessoais e papel social) e fatores de processo (aliança) nos estágios iniciais da PDT. Métodos Realizou-se estudo de coorte naturalista que acompanhou 304 pacientes durante os primeiros seis meses de psicoterapia. A aliança terapêutica foi avaliada após quatro sessões; sintomas, relações interpessoais e papel social foram avaliados na entrevista de entrada e após 12 e 24 sessões. Resultados Nossos resultados indicam que quatro sessões foram suficientes para medir a dimensão do vínculo da aliança terapêutica, enquanto que é necessário mais tempo para medir adequadamente outros aspectos da aliança terapêutica, como tarefas e objetivos. No entanto, 12 sessões de tratamento revelaram-se suficientes para detectar melhora em todas as dimensões dos instrumentos de resultados com tamanhos de efeito moderados, e esses ganhos se mostraram estáveis na 24ª sessão. Conclusão De acordo com nossos achados, 12 sessões parecem ser suficientes para acessar os ganhos iniciais na PDT, porém mais estudos são necessários para avaliar o tempo apropriado de medir todos os aspectos da aliança terapêutica. São necessários mais estudos para avaliar o tempo apropriado para avaliar os ganhos intermediários e de longo prazo em relação a sintomas, função interpessoal e função social.

Systematic review of studies about countertransference in adult psychotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: Countertransference, the emotional reaction of a psychotherapist toward a patient, is an important technical element of psychotherapy. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify and describe the main findings of studies that evaluated countertransference in adult psychotherapy. METHODS: A search was conducted of the databases Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO and Web of Knowledge to retrieve data published in any language at any time. RESULTS: Of the 1,081 studies found in the databases, 25 were selected. Most were about psychodynamic psychotherapy, and results indicated that positive countertransference, that is, feelings of closeness to the patient, are associated with positive outcomes, such as symptom improvement and good therapeutic alliance. CONCLUSIONS: Although few studies were found in the literature, countertransference seems to be an important source of knowledge about several aspects, such as treatment outcomes, attachment style, therapeutic alliance, patient symptoms and diagnoses.

Interaction structures in the psychodynamic psychotherapy of a patient with chronic diseases and somatic symptoms / Estruturas de interação na psicoterapia psicodinâmica de uma paciente com doenças crônicas e sintomas somáticos

Abstract Objective This study aimed to identify and analyze the interaction structures (ISs) (patterns of reciprocal interaction between the patient-therapist dyad) that characterize the process of a successful long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (28 months) of a patient with chronic diseases (lupus and fibromyalgia) and somatic symptoms. Methods The 113 sessions were videotaped and analyzed alternately (n = 60) by independent judges using the Psychotherapy Process Q-Set. Inter-rater reliability ranged from 0.60 to 0.90, with a mean of r = 0.71 (Pearson's correlation). Through a principal component exploratory factor analysis, four ISs were identified. Result The patterns of interaction between patient and therapist showed clinical validity (i.e., they were easily interpretable in the context of the case under study). The ISs were non-linear and more or less prominent across different treatment sessions and stages. Some ISs were similar to those in other studies, and others were probably unique to the present process. In addition, some ISs were independent, whereas others were interrelated over time. Conclusion Process studies, such as the present one, seek to address questions about the characteristics of the interaction between patient and therapist as well as to identify particular patterns of interaction that are most prominent with a specific patient at a specific condition or time. Therefore, these studies can provide some support in establishing knowledge for clinical practice, assisting in the training of therapists, as well as in the elaboration of general guidelines for the technical management of patients with specific characteristics.

Resumo Objetivo Este estudo objetivou identificar e analisar as estruturas de interação (interaction structures [ISs]) (padrões de interação recíproca entre a dupla paciente-terapeuta) que caracterizam o processo de uma psicoterapia psicodinâmica de longa duração (28 meses) de uma paciente com doenças crônicas (lúpus e fibromialgia) e sintomas somáticos. Métodos As 113 sessões foram filmadas e analisadas alternadamente (n = 60) por juízes independentes usando o Psychotherapy Process Q-Set. A confiabilidade entre avaliadores variou de 0.60 a 0.90, com média de r = 0.71 (correlação de Pearson). Por meio de uma análise fatorial exploratória do componente principal, foram identificadas quatro ISs. Resultados Os padrões de interação entre paciente e terapeuta mostraram validade clínica (ou seja, foram facilmente interpretáveis no contexto do caso em estudo). As ISs foram não lineares e mais ou menos proeminentes em diferentes sessões e etapas do tratamento. Algumas ISs foram semelhantes às de outros estudos, e outras provavelmente foram exclusivas do presente processo. Além disso, algumas ISs eram independentes, enquanto outras estavam inter-relacionadas ao longo do tempo. Conclusão Estudos de processo como o presente procuram abordar questões sobre as características da interação entre paciente e terapeuta, bem como identificar padrões particulares de interação que são mais proeminentes com um determinado paciente em condições ou momentos específicos. Portanto, esses estudos podem fornecer suporte ao estabelecimento de conhecimentos para a prática clínica, auxiliando na formação de terapeutas, bem como na elaboração de diretrizes gerais para o manejo técnico de pacientes com características específicas.

Therapeutic relationship on the web: to face or not to face?

In this age of unprecedented expansion of media and information dissemination and sharing, the use of electronic means should be reconsidered. The use of new technologies should be studied to understand how it may affect the relationship between patient and therapist during psychotherapy or psychoanalytic treatments. This study offers a critical discussion of the effect of technologies on clinical practice, and vignettes are used to describe their impact on frame, anonymity, abstinence and therapeutic neutrality. Transfer and countertransference issues resulting from these changes are also discussed. The potential benefits of new technologies in psychotherapy are appreciated, but the authors draw attention to the need to reflect about the presence of the therapist in those technologies and the preservation of the therapeutic setting, so that a satisfactory progression of the work of the dyad is ensured. This study also discusses the use of technologies in the expansion of learning and application of the therapeutic technique to overcome geographic and time barriers, among others.