This book identifies the core competencies shared by expert therapists and helps clinicians—especially those providing brief dynamic/interpersonal therapy—to develop and apply them in their own work. Rather than being a cookbook of particular techniques, the book richly describes therapists' mental processes and moment-to-moment actions as they engage in effective therapeutic inquiry and improvise to help patients achieve their goals. The author integrates the psychotherapy and cognitive science literatures to provide a unique understanding of therapist expertise. Featuring many illustrative examples, the book offers fresh insights into how learning and interpersonal skills can be enhanced for both therapist and client.

This book addresses the essential clinical competencies required to conduct brief dynamic therapy. Authors Jeffrey L. Binder and Ephi J. Betan discuss the conceptual foundation of their treatment model, and the application of this framework in forming and maintaining a therapeutic alliance, assessment, case formulation, implementing a treatment plan, termination, and treatment evaluation. All topics include a multicultural perspective and sensitivity to ethical issues. Binder and Betan attempt to bridge practice and research by consistently incorporating relevant research findings. Graduate students in the mental health fields and beginning therapists will find in this text the basic concepts and principles of brief dynamic psychotherapy presented in a clear and straightforward style, with many clinical examples drawn from detailed patient and therapist interchanges. Seasoned psychotherapists will find in Binder and Betan’s discussions of case formulation and therapeutic discourse a fresh treatment of classic ideas about the therapeutic value of constructing personal narratives. At all times, the authors explicitly tie the components of their approach to the competencies required of the brief dynamic therapist. In the current environment of accountability for results, attention is given to the ongoing assessment of therapeutic progress and ultimate outcomes. This text is a scholarly yet practical guide to the evidence-based practice of brief dynamic psychotherapy.

Many students enter graduate programs with little or no experience of psychodynamic psychotherapy. Efforts to impart clinical skills have often been less than systematic and beginning psychotherapists have not always been encouraged to think about what they are doing and why they are doing it from a scientific standpoint. Thoughtfully building on current debates over efficacy and effectiveness, this book outlines a promising approach to training in which the work of therapy is divided into tasks patterned after Luborsky's influential delineation of "curative factors"--significant developments in the course of the therapy that are crucial for effective change. Each task step for the therapist-cognitive, behavioral, affective, or a combination--is analyzed, taught separately, and then put in sequence with the other task steps. Curative factors have been extensively studied in recent years and the approach rests on a solid empirical base. In a climate of increased accountability, clinicians must demonstrate that they are responding to providers' requests to conduct evidence-based practices. Core Processes in Brief Psychodynamic Psychotherapy will be an invaluable resource not only for students and trainees, but for established therapists who find themselves asked to justify their work.

This new, meticulously updated edition offers the latest research on the foundations, techniques, and efficacy of psychodynamic psychotherapy, while still providing the basic information on assessment, indications, formulations, therapist interventions, goals of therapy, and mechanisms of therapeutic action that all mental health professionals require in order to provide excellent care.

This guide presents seven brief psychodynamic therapy models, including: supportive therapy; time-limited therapy; interpersonal therapy; time-limited dynamic psychotherapy; short-term dynamic therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder; brief dynamic therapy for substance abuse disorders; and brief psychodynamic psychotherapy with children. The models are established short-term approaches to common clinical problems and can accomodate the ten- to 20-minutes session time frame found in most managed care settings. Each chapter focuses on a particular approach, and matches particular patient problems best handled by that approach. The book discusses each model in terms of its overall framework, selection criteria, goals, therapeutic tasks and strategies, empirical support, and relevance for managed care. Clinical cases are provided to illustrate how each model is applied. A separate chapter covering the use of psychopharmacology in brief psychotherapy is also included.

Core Clinical Competencies in Counseling and Psychotherapy addresses the core competencies common to the effective practice of all psychotherapeutic approaches and includes specific intervention competencies of the three major orientations. This second edition emphasizes six core competencies common to the effective practice of all psychotherapeutic approaches. It includes the most commonly used intervention competencies of the cognitive-behavioral approaches—including Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy—psychodynamic approaches, and systemic approaches. This highly readable and easily accessible book enhances the knowledge and skill base of clinicians—both novice and experienced. The second edition has been fully revised throughout and includes a new appendix featuring handouts and worksheets. This book is essential to practicing clinicians and trainees in all mental health specialties, such as counseling, counseling psychology, clinical psychology, family therapy, social work, and psychiatry.

Each chapter is thoroughly updated, and new chapters cover such topics as dialectical behavior therapy, multicultural practice, and mentalizing, as well as fresh approaches to intervention, such as telepsychiatry and Internet-based interventions. There are also new videos on dialectical behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing.