Long-term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: A Basic Text (Core Competencies in Psychotherapy)

How Does Psychotherapy Work? Many factors contribute to the effectiveness of psychoanalytic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis; this will be only a brief overview. In part, analytic psychotherapy and analysis work through an individual gaining increased self-understanding. In this, analysis follows the wisdom that goes back thousands of years even to Socrates, who advised "Know Thyself," and "The unexamined life is not worth living." The analytic process is not merely intellectual or cognitive, however. Equally essential is that psychoanalytic self-understanding is achieved in the context of a uniquely beneficial relationship with the therapist or analyst. As the American Psychoanalytic Association has writen in its pamphlet, 'About Psychoanalysis', "Analytic therapy can be viewed as an intimate partnership, in the course of which the patient becomes aware of the underlying sources of his or her difficulties, not simply intellectually, but emotionally as well - in part by re-experiencing them with the analyst. From the beginning of therapy, patient and analyst work together to build up a safe and trusting relationship that enables the patient to experience aspects of his or her inner life that have been hidden because they are painful, embarrassing, or guilt-provoking." Often, it has been the individual's unconscious struggle over many years with these same uncomfortable feelings, urges, memories, or thoughts that has issued in symptoms or unfortunate patterns of behavior or relationships. It is these symptoms and patterns that have made him suffer anxiety or depression, or that have interfered with intimacy, created low self-esteem, inhibited optimal functioning, or prevented adequate pleasure and satisfaction in life.Becoming aware of what one has been struggling with, and how one has carried out that struggle, eventually allows the person to see himself more clearly and objectively, and to gain mastery over aspects of himself that previously were problematic. One thereby gains inner freedom, confidence and self-respect, enabling one to realize his or her inner creative potential, take new steps, and try out different approaches which offer greater hope for happiness and success.This text by Glenn Gabbard I have found quite useful in teaching to psychiatric residents the basic concepts and techniques of dynamic psychotherapySamuel T Goldberg, MD.Using the Transference in Psychotherapy

This is a must-read for anyone learning about psychodynamic therapy and seasoned clinicians. It covers many topics and issues. I've used it several times when writing case conceptualizations in grad school and will be referring to it frequently once I start internship.

Glen Gabbard is a wonderful teacher, psychoanalyst and writer. He knows the subject so well that he can make a very complex and subtle science and art easy to understand. The DVD demonstrating psychodynamic treatment is perfect!

Once again, with the amount of reading required, this text is very easy to breeze through and understand. Good choice on instructor's part.

Well written and easy to understand - breaks down psychodynamic topics well. I enjoy the chapter sections to target specific areas.

Excellent read for any psychotherapist.

Este libro debe estar cataolgado como uno de los referentes clinicos y teoricos mas importantes dentro del campo de la psique, principalmente para aquellos que gozan del modelo psicodinamico. La entrega del libro fue muy rapida. Excelente!

The author did a good job writing about a topic that few would read past the first page.The first topic? MISCONCEPTIONS.They explain that it isn’t about the stone faced therapist, sitting mostly in silence and only speaking to say “mmm-hmm” or to ask about the patient’s sexuality.It’s about the relationship between the therapist and the patient. They’re both real people – both have backgrounds and upbringings and biases and conversation styles and patterns and soft spots and rough edges etc…The author explained Klein, Freud, Kohut, Bolwby, Stern and others. But none of them are God; none should be followed precisely. They are people who had theories, and their theories taught us something.This book helped me the most by teaching me what NOT to do. Don’t over analyze, don’t interpret too quickly. If the patient says I remind them of their father, just leave it alone. If they mention a past experience, just listen. Once they mention the same subject 3 or 4 times, once a pattern is readily apparent - then bring it up. Don't assume to know what it means - just bring it up. Sure I'll have idea and theories, but not push them on the patient or they'll pull back.If they mention a dream - don't try to interpret it. If they give an interpretation - fine. If it reminds me of a recurring thing they've brought up many times - ask if there might be a connection.I learned to slow down and avoid jumping to conclusions.This book teaches how to do psychotherapy, how to deal with resistance, when to interpret and when to just listen. It taught the good and the bad of transference and countertransference - when to bring it up and when to just acknowledge it and move on.It explained the goals, the purpose, the meaning behind it all. It gave me another useful tool to use with patients. I think that's the point, if you learn lots of medications, lots of therapies, and lots of ways to help - you'll have a better chance of picking the right one. "If all you have is a hammer, everything becomes a nail."Here are a few of my favorite quotes:"When in doubt, be human." - p. 57"The young therapist - fearing spontaneity, human engagement, and a naturalness of response - is overly rigid and formal." - p. 71"Therapists are privately passing judgments on the patient all the time." - p. 72"We might regard resistance as a way that patients show us who they are...resistance is not 'bad' behavior on the part of the patient." - p. 117"Patients are boring for different reasons...the art of therapy includes making the boring patient a fascinating subject of study." - p. 161

This is a "must read" book for beginning psychodynamic therapists, and a "should read" for those who are more advanced. "A basic text" is probably a misnomer, in my view. Perhaps something like "A Practical Guide" would be better. Yes, the book emphasizes the basics, and in an uncommonly comprehensible style at that, but it guides the practitioner well past those basics. Most introductory books on the subject are too theory bound, doing too little to show how theory might manifest in the consulting room. The real value of this book is 1. it's clear explanation of central constructs that are 2. brought to life with illustrative clinical examples, then 3. uniquely demonstrates a variety of ways dynamic therapists might respond / intervene with their cases. A lot of the psychoanalytic literature is very confusing, owing, in my estimation, mainly to two problems: 1.It's hard to know where it is coming from and, 2. It's hard to know where it is going. This book, like no other I have seen, provides a coherent foundation that will serve the reader well as a solid anchor and a base on which to build through further experience and reading. I am confident this book will greatly help to both ease and guide the journey.

A very solid introduction to psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Glen Gabbard provides us a very useful and practical textbook about longterm psychodynamic psychotherapy. Many levels, including resistance, counter-transference, use of dreams, termination, are clearly described. A good and useful textbook for students and psychiatric residents.

Very useful book for beginning clinicians with the most important things you should know before starting. I like the inclusion of video vignettes. I recommend this book for every beginner clinician starting his/her practice in a psychodynamic approach for a good comprehension of basics.

Book arrived on stated date and in perfect condition