Psychodynamic Thinking Research Articles

Sport and Thought. Football as therapy: A year in the life of an inner city project

‘Sport and Thought. Football as therapy, A year in the life of an inner city project’ is a paper based on a way of working that fuses football and psychodynamic thinking. The project was set up at inner city all-boys secondary school in London and was created in response to the growing need for a therapeutic intervention which was accessible to adolescent boys who would not engage via more traditional therapeutic routes. The project works with adolescents experiencing behavioural and emotional difficulties. Sport and Thought is a way of working with adolescents that fuses the sport of football, psychodynamic thinking and theory to create a space to encourage thought and act as a catalyst to promote emotional and behavioural change. Sport and Thought believes an individual’s reactions within a sporting context are no different to a societal one, and thus the sport of football can be used to enable participants to consider their own emotional and behavioural traits, and the underlying reasoning behind them.

Psychodynamics in child psychiatry in Sweden, 1945–85: from political vision to treatment ideology

In this article, changing treatment ideologies and policies in child psychiatric outpatient services in Sweden from 1945 to 1985 are examined. The aim is to discuss the role played by psychoanalytic and psychodynamic thinking in this process of change. When mental health services for children were introduced in the mid-1940s, psychoanalytic thinking was intertwined with the social democratic vision of the Swedish welfare state in which children symbolized the future. In practice, however, treatment ideology was initially less influenced by psychoanalytic thinking. From the early 1960s, child psychiatric services expanded and the number of units increased. By then, the political vision had disappeared, but a treatment ideology began to evolve based on psychodynamic theories, which became dominant in the 1970s.

Using psychodynamic principles in formulation in everyday practice

SummaryWe try to demonstrate that using psychodynamic principles as part of case formulation is both possible and useful in everyday practice. We consider steps to developing a psychodynamically informed formulation, frameworks that can be used to structure this, and processes and resources needed to support good-quality formulation. We discuss the potential value of incorporating psychodynamic thinking and emphasise that this is complementary to other frameworks for understanding psychosis. Detailed case studies are provided.

Contemporary Perspectives on Psychosomatics in Germany: A Commentary on Karen Gubb's paper, “Psychosomatics Today: A Review of Contemporary Theory and Practice”

Karen Gubb's (2013) review focuses on contemporary developments in psychoanalytic theory and practice in relation to psychosomatics, starting with some historical remarks, and Paris School with the Attachment approach. This paper examines the question of how the German scene fits into the issues raised in Gubb's discussion. From a historical point of view, psychosomatic thinking had already come into existence at the beginning of the twentieth century in internal medicine, influenced not only by Freud's ideas, but also by holistic philosophical approaches, anthropology, and semiotic systems theory as well. Psychosomatics is still under the influence of psychodynamic thinking, but as a required subject for all medical students, it is currently more involved in inpatient treatment settings than in psychoanalyses in the classical couch setting. Research projects using standardized questionnaires, neuroimaging, and other empirical methods have also proved that these treatments are as effective as therapy based on psychoanalytic concepts like alexithymia or the Attachment approach. In addition, qualitative methods have been implemented to grasp the fine-grained conscious and unconscious processes in the inner life of patients and in the verbal and nonverbal interaction phenomena of therapies. To sum up: Recent developments in psychoanalytic theory, which begin to overcome the differences among psychoanalytic schools in favor of re-erecting a common psychoanalytic understanding like that demonstrated in Gubb's article, fit together in bridging the gap between insights from classical psychoanalyses and results from empirical research.

What have we done to Mother Earth? Psychodynamic thinking applied to our current world crisis

This article takes as metaphors Earth Mother and Mother Earth and considers their meaning as we face an uncertain future in relation to our planet. It explores our ambivalence in relation to Mother Earth and how our defences of denial, disavowal, splitting and contempt are deployed in order not to think about the damage we have done to the Earth and to future generations’ ability to live on this planet. The article uses images, poetry and literature to illustrate some of our experiences of the Earth and Nature and our connection with them as well as our fear of them. The paper draws explicitly on the ideas of Melanie Klein, Donald Winnicott and Wilfred Bion and attempts to put these ideas in context in relation to the Earth and our continuing destruction of it. In the latter part of the paper, I make use of ideas from complexity theory drawing on the works of contemporary thinkers, especially Joseph Dodds and Rosemary Randall. The paper concludes with the emphasis on what is needed to help manage the anxieties and depression which ensue when there is an exploration of these issues, which often feel overwhelming and unbearable.

Theoretical Paper To what extent can the core conditions of therapeutic change championed by Carl be present in an individual psychodynamic therapy encounter?

Content and FocusPerson-centred therapy (PCT) and psychodynamic therapy frequently comprise two of the modalities that counselling psychologists are exposed to during their training, while the key concepts drawn from these domains continue to inform the practice of chartered counselling psychologists. Rogers’ ideas came at a time when psychodynamic thinking had established a firm grip over therapeutic orthodoxy and challenged the practice of psychoanalysis, even as they circumvented its theoretical underpinnings. This paper explores the extent to which the six necessary and sufficient, or core, conditions of therapeutic change can manifest in a psychodynamic therapy encounter. The author reviews relevant literature that juxtaposes PCT and psychodynamic understandings of therapeutic theory and practice whilst examining each of the conditions sequentially in the light of some key psychodynamic concepts.ConclusionsThe question posed by this paper requires an idiosyncratic answer that can be neither authoritatively nor objectively obtained. It is argued that our discipline’s epistemological position might facilitate a diffusion of the core conditions into the implicit theoretical apparatus that Sandler (1983) has identified as guiding the practice of psychoanalysts. I reflect on my personal journey of grappling with this issue before tentatively arriving at the conclusion that the conditions can indeed be present in psychodynamic practice, even if noticeably absent from psychodynamic theory.

A systems psychodynamic description of organisational bullying experiences

Orientation: Organisational bullying experiences manifest themselves as an intense unconscious systemic dynamic involving the bully, the victim and the organisational culture. The relatedness between the objects is characterised by valences and mutual defence mechanisms such as splitting, projection and projective identification.Research purpose: The purpose of this research was to describe organisational bullying experiences from the system psychodynamic perspective.Motivation for the study: Individual psychology tends to simplify organisational bullying by focussing on the bully’s symptomatic behaviour. Systems psychodynamic thinking focuses on the behavioural dynamics in the relationship between the bully and victim, and the relatedness of both with the organisational system.Research design, approach and method: Qualitative and descriptive research, using six participants as case studies, was undertaken. Data was gathered through Free Association Narrative Interviewing and analysed using discourse analysis.Main findings: Three themes manifested themselves, namely, snakes and hyenas, a complex interconnected dyad, and the institutionalisation of bullying. The research hypothesis integrating these three themes was presented.Practical/managerial implications: In resolving organisational bullying Industrial Organisational psychologists need to pursue this phenomenon not only in terms of its symptoms, but in a holistic, systemic and role related manner addressing all of its parts.Contribution/value-add: The systemic understanding of organisational bullying implies the complexity of studying the behaviour of all parts – the bully, the victim, their dyadic relationship as well as how bullying is institutionalised in the organisational setting, climate and culture.

Psychodynamic Psychiatry in the General Medical Setting

For more than half a century analytically trained psychiatrists have been making observations about psychodynamic factors impacting on medical illness and treatment. Some of these reports have been subsequently supported by evidence-based research while others have been found to be clinically useful to varying degrees even if not substantiated by research. In this article we have presented some of the highlights of the application of psychodynamics to the treatment of physical illness in the general medical setting. It is not meant to be a comprehensive review but we hope it will demonstrate how psychodynamic thinking has permeated many aspects of care in the general medical setting. Topics considered include onset of disease (giving up complex, specificity, role of stress, anniversary reactions), reactions to illness (psychological defenses, fantasies, role of psychotherapy), specific conditions (pregnancy, cancer, human immunodeficiency virus, conversion and alexithymia, heart disease, death and dying), and the doctor-patient relationship.

Taking psychodynamic thinking ‘home’ to the workplace – How can courses manage better the impact on student and employing agency?1

In this article, consideration is given to a problem often experienced in relation to courses offering psychodynamic understanding to front-line workers with troubled clients – the complexity for the student in taking the learning ‘home’ in a productive manner and the potential isolation of the student in, or alienation from, their workplace. A model of course delivery is described in which an active three-way partnership between student, course and workplace is fostered which enhances the students' learning, enables the workplace to benefit more fully from the course and enhances the effectiveness of the course in improving service to the ultimate client – the service user.

Associative/Dissociative Cognitive Strategies in Sustained Physical Activity: Literature Review and Proposal for a Mindfulness-Based Conceptual Model

We reviewed and summarize the extant literature on associative/dissociative cognitive strategies used by athletes and others in circumstances necessitating periods of sustained attention. This review covers studies published since a prior publication by Masters and Ogles (1998), and, in keeping with their approach, offers a methodological critique of the literature. We conclude that the distinction between associative and dissociative strategies has outlived its usefulness since initially proposed in an earlier era of ground-breaking research by Morgan and Pollock (1977) that was influenced to some extent by psychodynamic thinking. In recent years there has been an evolutionary shift in concepts of sustained attention toward mindfulness—moment-by-moment attention—that has had a significant impact on conceptual models and clinical practice in diverse areas including stress management, psychotherapy, and athletic performance. We propose that future research on cognitive activity in sustained performance settings be embedded in a mindfulness-based conceptual model.

Remembering the lost neuroscience of pharmaco‐EEG

To the electrophysiologist accustomed, in his animal experiments, to probing with his electrode into the nervous system and even into the nerve cell itself, it remains a matter of astonishment that so many of the brain's secrets escape across the wall of the skull to electrodes fixed to the scalp of man. That they indeed do so is testimony to the fact that the brain's electrical activity is a most sensitive indicator of its function. In this fact lies the attraction of electroencephalography for its devotees.

Shapes of change: Working with the active substance misuser

The ‘Cycle of change’ is a well-established cognitive and behavioural approach to the path taken by substance misusers into and beyond the problematic use/behaviour area. This paper offers a psychodynamic perspective on the Cycle and argues that psychodynamic thinking and interventions are relevant even at the earliest stages of presentation.

Decoding the Meaning of Transference and Countertransference: An Integrative Perspective

Reviews the book, Transference and countertransference in non-analytic therapy: Double-edged swords by Judith A. Schaeffer (see record 2007-02321-000). According to Boag, the concepts of transference and countertransference are arguably some of the most important concepts that psychodynamic thinking has contributed to clinical practice. In the context of therapy, this involves the client transferring past attitudes, longings, and feelings onto the therapist. In turn, the therapist may transfer his or her own unresolved past onto the present client (countertransference). This book aims to serve as a resource for non-psychodynamically oriented (nonanalytic) clinicians to help identify transference and countertransference in therapy and provide suggestions for working with such issues. The book aims to be “as devoid of psychoanalytic and psychodynamic terminology as possible” and instead to discuss such psychodynamic concepts in nonanalytic language and thus help the nonanalytic clinician negotiate the issue of transference and countertransference in therapy. The book's scope is broad, addressing the theory and evidence of transference, the manifestations of transference in therapy, and the multitude of clinical approaches to working with transference. Snippets from case studies and vignettes are provided. The discussion is generally limited to nonpsychotic adult therapy, but the book demonstrates an awareness of the important issues of culture, cultural-based expectancies, and their potential impacts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2007 APA, all rights reserved)

HOMELESSNESS AND CONTAINMENT – A PSYCHOTHERAPY PROJECT WITH HOMELESS PEOPLE AND WORKERS IN THE HOMELESS FIELD

A high percentage of homeless people suffer from a severe degree of personality disorder that causes them to fall through the net of psychiatric and caring services. Their persistent inability to maintain an actual dwelling‐place as a location of stability and meaning, is also reflected in an inner state of fragility, and in relationship difficulties that lead to destructive behaviours that inevitably alienate others. In this paper, the relationship between homelessness, the maternal body, buildings and containment is explored, using clinical material which illustrates how the claustro‐agoraphobic dilemma (Henri Rey 1994), intrinsic to the state of homelessness and to borderline conditions, impacts on vulnerable individuals and on care workers in this field. Examples drawn from staff consultations demonstrate how psychodynamic thinking can help to provide containment within systems of care.

Changes in the Psychiatric Landscape

Changes in the Psychiatric Landscape

A psychotherapy service exposed

This paper describes the day-to-day work of a psychotherapist working in an acute hospital setting. The Psychotherapy and Counselling Service is part of a multi-disciplinary team working in a regional unit for Plastic Surgery and Burns. The range of work with both patients and staff is described. The focus of the work is to help patients (both children and adults) and their families to deal with the psychological effects of physical traumas and also difficulties they may have with medical interventions. The paper describes the challenges of trying to maintain the flexible approach needed to work in an environment where it is not usually possible to have sessions with clear external boundaries of time and space. The difficulty of having to work ‘in public’ is considered, as well as the unusual situation of psychotherapists having to ‘share’ patients. Aspects of working with severe trauma are described, considering the impact on staff as well as patients. The descriptions of the work are used to try to illustrate the use of applied psychodynamic thinking where the patient group has not come for psychological treatment, but may nevertheless be in need of help to address emotional needs.

A CHILD PSYCHOTHERAPIST IN PRIMARY MENTAL HEALTH

This paper outlines the author's application of psychodynamic thinking and approaches to brief therapeutic work with children, adolescents and their families in community mental health settings. It is the author's belief that systemic and narrative therapy insights and techniques combine well with psychoanalysis in the assessment and treatment of many concerns felt and expressed by parents and young people. The therapist's tasks are to listen empathically to clients who are in distress and to explore the clients' beliefs about the origins of their problems, as well as their previously attempted solutions. In proceeding at the family's pace, opportunities arise for facilitating more effective ways of resolving conflict. Clients are often more free than they realise to change their interpretation of their experience, and this has important consequences for the maintenance and solution of problems. Brief therapy seeks to remind clients of their strengths and resources and to share ways to encourage clients to resume effective ways of learning about themselves.

TOO CLOSE IN OR TOO FAR OUT — LEARNING TO HOLD THE ROLE OF OBSERVER: TUTORS' INTRODUCTION TO A SOCIAL WORK STUDENT'S REFLECTIONS ON HER EXPERIENCE OF LEARNING THROUGH CHILD OBSERVATION

In this and a second linked paper (Natasha Quitak ‘Difficulties in Holding the Role of the Observer’), social work tutors and a former student examine the learning which can come from the experience of infant and child observation in social work qualifying training. The ability to hold the role of observer is an essential skill for social work which can to a large extent be learned. It involves finding a distance close enough to experience the feelings involved in the child's relationships but far enough out to be able to think about them. Difficulties in managing the anxieties involved in the task may be linked to students' own familial and cultural patterns of relating. Attachment theory and psychodynamic thinking provide the theoretical underpinning for learning. This first paper is written from the perspective of the social work tutor.

The move from categories to process: Attachment phenomena and clinical evaluation

AbstractDespite the degree to which attachment theory and research have been embraced by clinicians in recent years, many remain unsure as to what this perspective adds to clinical understanding and psychodynamic thinking about the clinical process. In this article, I outline some ways that developments in the study of attachment have the potential to enrich our clinical work with children and families, and may be particularly illuminating with respect to certain aspects of evaluation, formulation, and diagnosis. This added value comes not from formally assessing patients' attachment classification but from sensitizing clinicians to observing the functioning of the attachment system and to the internal and interpersonal functions of attachment processes. Such awareness on the part of the therapist makes it possible for these dynamic regulatory, defense, and motivational systems to be addressed within the context of evaluation and ongoing psychotherapeutic work. Thinking about attachment processes within the clinical situation does not supplant other aspects of dynamically oriented assessment and evaluation, but rather is theoretically consistent with psychoanalytic models of development and offers new levels of richness and understanding to formulations and treatment planning.

TIME‐LIMITED PSYCHODYNAMIC COUNSELLING FOR PEOPLE WITH EPILEPSY:A CASE STUDY

ABSTRACT This paper is an attempt to present and discuss the application of psychodynamic thinking and practice to working with people with epilepsy. The paper provides a general explanation of what epilepsy is, followed by a brief review of the existing psychoanalytic literature in relation to epilepsy. The core of the paper is a detailed case study describing a time‐limited psychodynamic counselling with a patient in an epilepsy outpatient clinic at a large general hospital in the UK. This account aims to highlight some of the issues and themes in working with people with epilepsy, and to add to the limited literature available on psychodynamic work with this client group.