Sharpless B.A. Psychodynamic Therapy Techniques: A Guide to Expressive and Supportive Interventions

Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2019. — 286 p. — ISBN: 9780190676285.Psychodynamic therapy has a growing evidence base, is cost-effective, and may have unique mechanisms of clinical change. However, gaining competence in this approach generally requires extensive training and mastery of a large and complex literature.
Integrating clinical theory and research findings, Psychodynamic Therapy Techniques provides comprehensive but practical guidance on the main interventions of contemporary psychodynamic practice. Early chapters describe the psychodynamic "stance" and illustrate effective means of identifying and understanding clinical problems. Later, the book describes how to question, clarify, confront, and interpret patient material as well as assess the clinical impacts of interventions. With these foundational tools in place, the book supplements the "classic" psychodynamic therapy techniques with six sets of supportive interventions helpful for lower-functioning patients or those in acute crisis. Complete with step-by-step instructions on how to prepare techniques as well as numerous clinical vignettes to illustrate their use in clinical settings, Psychodynamic Therapy Techniques effectively demystifies this important approach to therapy and helps practitioners more effectively apply them to a wide range of patients and problems.Background Information for Psychodynamic Therapy Techniques
Do We REALLY Need Psychodynamic Therapy?
Goals of Psychodynamic Therapy
The Psychodynamic “Stance”
The Supportive– Expressive Continuum
Characteristics of “Good” Psychodynamic Interventions
How to Assess the Impacts of Interventions
The “Classic” Psychodynamic Therapy Techniques in Contemporary Practice
Foundational Techniques Part I
Foundational Techniques Part II
The Process of Questioning
The Process of Clarification
The Process of Confrontation
The Process of Interpretation
The Expanded Range of Psychodynamic Therapy Techniques
Supportive Therapy Techniques Part I
Supportive Therapy Techniques Part II
Repairing Ruptures in the Therapeutic Alliance
Appendix. Psychodynamic Therapy Manuals and Models