Processes of therapeutic change: Results from the Cornell-Penn Study of Psychotherapies for Panic Disorder.

To examine process of changes in two distinct psychotherapies-cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and Panic-Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (PFPP). Two hypothesized processes of change-misinterpretation of bodily sensations and Panic Specific Reflective Function (PSRF)-were tested in the CBT and PFPP arms of the Cornell-Penn Study of Psychotherapies for Panic Disorder. The Brief Bodily Sensations Interpretation Questionnaire (BBSIQ) measures misinterpretation of bodily sensations-a focus of CBT interventions. PSRF, a target of PFPP, assesses the capacity to reflect on the underlying meaning of panic symptoms. A sample of 138 patients (37.7% men, 72.56% Whites, and 16.7% Latinx) with primary Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) panic disorder were included in the present analyses. Mixed effects models tested the effects of early change in BBSIQ and PSRF (intake through Week 5) on subsequent change in the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS; Week 5 through termination). Early change on both PSRF and BBSIQ predicted subsequent change in panic severity across the two treatments. As predicted, PSRF changed more in PFPP than in CBT, but, contrary to expectation, BBSIQ showed comparable changes in both groups. Counterintuitively, CBT patients benefited more in terms of panic symptom improvement when their PSRF improved than did PFPP patients. This is the first demonstration of general processes of change (PSRF and BBSIQ) across psychotherapies for panic disorder, suggesting that to the extent patients change their beliefs about the meaning of panic, their panic symptoms improve in time-limited, panic-focused psychotherapies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Five-year follow-up of first-episode depression treated with psychodynamic psychotherapy or antidepressants.

Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) both combined with medication and alone has been shown to be effective in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, few studies compared STTP and pharmacotherapy in monotherapy during acute phase and there is lack of data concerning the prevention of recurrences. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical course of patients who achieved remission from their first life-time major depressive episode after treatment with antidepressant (AD) therapy or brief dynamic therapy (BDT), a specific type of STPP, examining the recurrence rates during a 5-year treatment-free period. The analysis was conducted on 93 subjects (remitters to BDT n = 46; remitters to AD n = 47). Treatment with BDT was associated with a significantly higher proportion of patients without depressive recurrences during the observation period. Among patients who were remitters to BDT, 71.7% did not experience depressive recurrences at the end of the observation period, compared to 46.8% of those treated with pharmacotherapy. BDT may be more effective than AD pharmacotherapy in improving the long-term outcome of patients with a first major depressive episode; further studies comparing STPP and AD in terms of efficacy and cost-effectiveness are needed.

Effectiveness of psychoanalysis and long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy on personality and social functioning 10 years after start of treatment.

The evidence on potentially greater benefits of psychoanalysis (PA) vs. long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (LPP) is scarce. This study compared the effectiveness of PA and LPP on personality and social functioning during a 10-year follow-up from the beginning of the treatments. The eligible patients, 41 self-selected for PA and 128 assigned to LPP, were 20-45 years of age and had anxiety or mood disorder. Outcomes were analyzed using ten standard measures of personality and social functioning, carried out 5-9 times during the follow-up. Different change patterns by time in PA and LPP emerged, suggesting less benefit of PA during the first years of follow-up and more benefit in most outcomes thereafter. Greater post-treatment improvement in PA than in LPP was seen up to 1-2 years after PA had ended in more mature defense style (DSQ), level of personality organization (LPO), more positive self-concept (SASB), more improved social adjustment (SAS-SR) and sense of coherence (SOC). However, at the 10-year follow-up the differences were non-significant. In conclusion, PA may give some additional benefits when long-term aims are linked to personality and social functioning. The relatively small differences and higher costs in comparison to LPP may restrict the feasibility of PA.

How do adolescents with depression experience improvement in psychodynamic psychotherapy? A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: There is emerging evidence for the effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapy for depressive disorders. However, we know less of how this relation-focused therapy mode is experienced and what the patients themselves identify as helpful. Hence, the purpose of this study is to explore adolescents' experiences of factors promoting improvement in psychodynamic therapy. METHODS: Eight female patients participating in a Norwegian study on psychodynamic therapy, the First Experimental Study of Transference Work - In Teenagers (FEST-IT), were included. The participants were offered a total number of 28 sessions. Semi-structured qualitative interviews about experiences with therapy were then conducted and analysed with systematic text condensation and hermeneutic interpretation. RESULTS: The analysis revealed four main themes. 'Exploring oneself' comprises autonomy and acknowledgment, openness, insight and acceptance of oneself. 'Therapist relation and characteristics' includes confidence and trust in and support from the therapist as well as having a trustworthy and experienced therapist. 'Focusing on everyday life' includes learning and practical orientation. 'Time factors' refers to duration and frequency. CONCLUSIONS: Together with a supportive and listening therapist, the adolescents improve by exploring themselves within the frames of a time-limited treatment period. Improvement seems to be experienced through better relations to oneself and to others and by finding one's place in the family, or at school. Adolescents value problem solving and help with concrete challenges. Hence, therapy should be tailored to the needs of adolescents with depression and incorporate the challenges they face in their everyday life. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov . Id: NCT01531101. Date of registry: 8 February 2012, retrospectively registered.

Clients' emotional instability and therapists' inferential flexibility predict therapists' session-by-session empathic accuracy.

Clients' emotions often serve as a major focus for therapists' attention. Interestingly, little is known about the factors that facilitate or hinder therapists' accurate assessment of these emotions. We hypothesized that therapists' accuracy would be negatively tied to their clients' emotional fluctuation (i.e., instability) and positively tied to the therapists' own inferential fluctuation (i.e., flexibility) as well as to the clients' emotional intensity. Clients (N = 98/N = 76) received weekly psychodynamic psychotherapy at a university-based clinic. Following each session, clients reported their within-session emotions, and therapists provided their own assessment of their clients' emotions. As expected, when clients' emotions were more unstable, therapists were less accurate in tracking these emotions. Additionally, when therapists' assessments of their clients' emotions were more flexible, they were more accurate in tracking them. Our results help identify factors that predict accurate emotion perception within psychotherapy and may translate into actionable ideas for enhancing this accuracy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the neural correlates of psychological therapies in major depression.

Longitudinal neuroimaging studies in major depression have revealed cortico-limbic abnormalities which are modulated by treatment. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of psychotherapy treatment studies measuring neural function and metabolism using fMRI, PET, SPECT and MRS. Seventeen studies were included in the systematic review, total of 200 major depression participants (mean age 37.6 years), all medication free, and 116 healthy controls (mean age 36.4 years). Neuroimaging assessments were performed prior to initiation of treatment and following course of treatment. Treatment durations were: 16-30 weeks for CBT, 11 weeks for behavioral activation therapy, and up to 15 months for psychodynamic psychotherapy. The meta-analysis consisted of studies in which both groups had same serial scans and comparable tasks; total of 5 studies with visual presentation tasks of emotional stimuli: 55 patients (mean age: 38.7 years) and 55 healthy controls (mean age: 36.3 years). The meta-analysis revealed a significant group by time effect in left rostral anterior cingulate, in which patients showed increased activity following psychotherapy while healthy controls showed a decrease at follow up. Longitudinal treatment effects revealed reduced left precentral cortical activity in major depression. Findings could be indicative of improvements in emotion responsivity that may be achieved following psychotherapy.

Psychodynamic Psychiatry in the 21st Century: Constructing a Comprehensive Science of Experience.

Psychodynamic psychiatry is not limited to psychotherapy practice. It is defined by systematic attention to the "common factors" underlying both psychotherapy and psychopharmacology outcomes, which include the patient's subjective systems of meaning and the complex flow of the patient-provider relationship in addition to the patient's "objective" psychopathology. It allows for a non-reductionist milieu where the meaning of the illness and the full complexity of the treatment process can be explored in order to achieve a qualitative and lasting change in the patient's psychopathology. The author proposes an integrated psychobiological model of psychiatric care where attention to the patient's subjective experience and the unique flow of the patient-provider relationship stand on an equal footing with the patient's objective behavioral and symptomatic presentation. This model provides a common foundation for diverse psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions to enable a paradigm shift from symptom- or syndrome-focused approach to individualized, process-oriented philosophy of care. Psychodynamically informed treatment provision helps to unify psychiatric practice by integrating objective, subjective, and intersubjective science in order to construct a systematic science of experience.

Relationships among alexithymia, therapeutic alliance, and psychotherapy outcome in major depressive disorder.

Previous studies have found that alexithymia predicts process and outcome of psychodynamic psychotherapy across a range of psychiatric disorders. There is preliminary evidence that alexithymia may exert its effects on outcome through the therapist. Other studies have found that alexithymia does not influence outcome of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). The aim of the current study was to investigate the capacity of alexithymia to predict therapist- and patient-rated therapeutic alliance and response to CBT and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) for major depressive disorder. A total of 75 adults with major depressive disorder were randomized to receive weekly sessions of manualized individual CBT or IPT for a period of 16 weeks. Pre-treatment alexithymia exhibited a positive direct effect on depression change, and a negative indirect effect on depression change via patient-rated alliance at week 13. There was no mediating role of therapist-rated alliance. Although these findings are preliminary, they suggest that pre-treatment alexithymia has meaningful links to psychotherapy process and outcome, and that nuanced analyses incorporating intervening variables are necessary to elucidate the nature of these links.

Special population - child and adolescent psychotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: First, to outline the paradigm change of the past 20 years that has transformed the theory and practice of child and adolescent psychodynamic psychotherapy; second, to update aspects of the current Practice Parameters for Psychodynamic Psychotherapy with Children to align with the paradigm change driven by the principles of regulation theory, relational trauma and repair, and the critical need for clinicians' self-care in trauma informed psychotherapy. CONCLUSION: The emerging neuroscience-driven paradigm of psychotherapy poses challenges for the child and adolescent psychotherapist: to embrace the new conceptual reference points as organising principles leads to an urgent need to rethink traditional diagnostic formulations and time-honoured techniques for intervention. Our child patients and their families are entitled to benefit from the translation of the new research evidence from attachment regulation theory to clinical psychotherapy. Our clinical psychotherapy should sustain the 'best-interest-of-the-child' standards for well-being while also heeding Frances Tustin's warning for therapists to avoid the 'perpetuation of an error' by overlooking recent developments from allied fields in developmental psychology and the neurosciences.

Cognitive Behavioral and Psychodynamic Therapies: Points of Intersection and Divergence.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy (PDT) are two major paradigms in the mental health care field. The present article reviews broad similarities and differences between each tradition while acknowledging that such generalizations may overlook heterogeneity within each. However, it is believed that a comparison between CBT and PDT is beneficial in dispelling myths about each tradition, fostering dialogue, encouraging further scholarship and research. While not an exhaustive account, this article will examine how CBT and PDT differ in how they view several topics such as the unconscious, the therapeutic alliance, the role of homework, symptom reduction, and therapeutic heuristics. Commentary is also offered on how research may be more effectively and collaboratively integrated with clinical work from both traditions. Future directions for partnership and improving mental health treatments are also discussed.

Current Trends in Theoretical Orientation of Psychologists: The Case of Quebec Clinicians.

OBJECTIVE: Trends indicate that clinical psychologists' theoretical orientations have changed over the last decades in North America, but research on this topic in Canada is scarce. We analyzed the orientation of psychologists over the last 20 years in the province of Quebec, where 46% of Canadian psychologists are located. METHOD: Data were collected annually through the board registration form of Quebec psychologists' professional order from 1993 to 2013. Univariate statistical analyses were realized on aggregated data. RESULTS: In 20 years, the proportion of clinicians choosing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as their main orientation grew from 18.4% to 38%, while preference for other orientations slightly declined. Existential-humanistic and psychodynamic-psychoanalytic approaches remained the primary orientation for around 21.7% and 21.5%, respectively. In 2013 (N = 8608), when taking into account 2 choices of theoretical orientation, 55.8% of clinicians chose CBT, 34.3% existential-humanistic orientation, 27.9% psychodynamic-analytic theories, and 21.8% systemic-interactional orientation. CONCLUSIONS: Findings underline trends in Quebec clinical practice characterized by an increase in the number of psychologists identifying cognitive-behavioral approach as their primary self-reported theoretical orientation.

Abordaje psicoterapéutico-psicopedagógico. Intervención grupal en Carrilet, Centro Específico para niños con autismo / Psychotherapeutic-psychopedagogical approach. Group intervention in Carrilet, center for children with autism

Carrilet es un centro específico de orientación psicodinámica basado en un enfoque terapéuticoeducativo relacional. En el centro, además del trabajo individualizado, se han constituido muchos espacios grupales de niños/as con TEA, de profesionales y familiares, para garantizar la continuidad asistencial y la comunicación, así como el pensamiento y la experiencia compartida. Se describen las tutorías terapéuticas que se desarrollan con el grupo clase, su tutor/a y la psicóloga. Se convierte en un espacio terapéutico importante de ayuda a la concienciación y comprensión del mundo social, acompañando y conteniendo lo que emocionalmente supone en cada uno de ellos. Es un espacio donde poder pensar y comprender lo que ha sucedido en el grupo, poner nombre a todos aquellos conflictos que hayan podido darse, a lo que se ha podido sentir, también a lo que ha podido sentir el otro (AU)

Carrilet is a specific center with a psychodynamic orientation based on a relational therapeutic-educational approach. In the center, in addition to the individual work, there are many group spaces for children with ASD, professionals and families to ensure continuity of care and communication, as well as thinking and shared experience. The therapeutic tutoring developed with the class group, tutor and psychologist is described. It becomes an important therapeutic space that helps awareness and understanding of the social world, accompanying and containing what it emotionally means in each of them. It is a space to think and understand what has happened in the group, naming all those conflicts, how they felt, and how others felt (AU)

Psicoterapia relacional del Trastorno Límite de Personalidad - Parte I / Relational psychotherapy of borderline personality disorder

El presente artículo constituye la primera parte de dos artículos dedicados a la Psicoterapia Relacional del Trastorno límite de personalidad. A pesar de que muchos modelos de psicoterapia entienden que las relaciones con personas significativas forman la base de la personalidad, no todos conciben la relación terapéutica como la herramienta fundamental del cambio personal. En el presente artículo, se describen en primer lugar los presupuestos básicos del Movimiento relacional que ha aproximado numerosas corrientes de psicoterapia. Posteriormente, se resumen las aportaciones de los principales autores que han realizado avances significativos en el tratamiento psicoterapéutico del trastorno límite de personalidad. La última parte describe los principios básicos de una psicoterapia relacional de este trastorno utilizando un abordaje que prima la relación como eje vertebral del tratamiento y la implicación y sintonía del terapeuta (AU)

The current article is the first part of two devoted to Relational Psychotherapy in Borderline Personality disorders. Although a lot of Psychotherapy models support the idea that meaningful relationships in childhood with significant people are at the base of personality development not all think about therapeutic relationship as the main tool to achieve personal change. In this article the basic principles of Relational movement, one that is currently helping different psychotherapy schools to get closer, are described. Then the development of meaningful approaches to Borderline Personality Disorder psychotherapy is summarized. The last part presents the basic principles of a Relational Psychotherapy of these disorders with an approach which underlines therapeutic relationship and the involvement and attunement of psychotherapist as the core of treatment (AU)

On the future of psychodynamic therapy research.

OBJECTIVE AND METHOD: Two psychodynamic therapists and researchers from different generations reflected upon the past and present state of psychodynamic therapy research as well as possibilities for the future. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Several issues (e.g., decreased research funding, increased medicalization of mental health problems, and declining psychodynamic representation among research faculty) were identified as potential impediments for future high-quality research. In addition to encouraging the field to face these challenges directly, a number of specific recommendations were provided. These included not only suggestions for traditional process and outcome research, but also recommendations to modify our current assessment practices, improve our field's cohesiveness, increase our public visibility, and improve relationships with our non-psychodynamic colleagues. In is argued that, if the field confronts these many challenges in a creative and flexible manner, psychodynamic therapy research will not only continue to be relevant, but will also thrive.

Intelligence as a predictor of outcome in short- and long-term psychotherapy.

Intelligence has been suggested as a suitability factor for short-term therapy whereas its possible effect on short-term versus long-term therapy still is unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the prediction of intelligence on the level of psychiatric symptoms and psychosocial functioning in psychotherapies of different lengths. A total of 251 outpatients from the Helsinki Psychotherapy Study, aged 20­46 years, and suffering from mood or anxiety disorders were allocated to two long-term and two short-term therapies. Intelligence was assessed at baseline with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-R). Psychiatric symptoms and psychosocial functioning were assessed 5­10 times during a 5-year follow-up using two primary symptom measures (HDRS and HARS) and one primary measure of psychosocial functioning (GAF). Short-term therapy was more effective than long-term therapy during the first year of follow-up. During the second to fourth follow-up year no differences between short- and long-term therapies or the intelligence groups were found. At the fifth follow-up year, however, long-term psychotherapy showed a statistically significantly larger change in all three primary measures compared to short-term therapy among those with higher intelligence. No differences between therapy groups were noted in those with lower intelligence. People with higher intelligence may benefit more from long-term than from short-term psychotherapy. These findings should be confirmed.

La formulación psicodinámica del caso (fpc) / The psychodynamic formulation case (FPC)

La formulación psicodinámica del caso (fpc) parte de la perspectiva psicoanalítica para formular un caso clínico. Se refiere a la hipótesis del clínico tratante sobre los principales problemas del paciente, los factores que lo condicionan, el tratamiento planteado y su evolución. Las preguntas básicas a las que debe responder una formulación son los interrogantes básicos de la clínica: 1) ¿qué le pasa al paciente (dimensión diagnóstica); 2) ¿a qué se debe? (dimensión etiopatogénica); 3) ¿cómo se trata? (dimensión terapéutica), y 4) ¿con qué resultados?(dimensión evolutiva). Debe incluirse como un anexo a la historia clínica de entre 500 y 1.000 palabras. En este trabajo se destacan los elementos de la teoría psicoanalítica que mejor permiten responder a estas preguntas. Se toman contribuciones que reflejan avances actuales del conocimiento psicoanalítico, sostenidos por una fuerte evidencia clínica y empírica, el Manual de diagnóstico operacionalizado, OPD2, el Manual de diagnóstico psicodinámico, pdm y la escala de niveles de funcionamiento de la personalidad (lpfs) de la Sección iii del DSM-5. Estos aportes convergentes son de utilidad para la fpc y han sido tomados como base para este trabajo. Se propone una guía para la formulación psicodinámica del caso que orienta en los contenidos que deben ser incluidos

The evolution of models of psychodynamic psychotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to give an outline of the evolution of models of psychodynamic psychotherapy. CONCLUSION: Certain concepts about the nature of the relationship between patient and therapist during psychodynamic psychotherapy are crucial to therapeutic benefit. These are attachment, self object function, and the co-construction of an intersubjectivity. The quality of the everyday therapeutic relationship between patient and psychiatrist similarly depends on these concepts.