Falk Leichsenring1, Christiane Steinert2,3, Paul Crits-Christoph3. 1. University of Giessen Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy Ludwigstr. 76 35392 Giessen Germany University of Giessen - Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy. 2. MSB Medical School Berlin Department of Psychology Deutschland MSB Medical School Berlin - Department of Psychology. 3. University of Pennsylvania Department of Psychiatry Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104 USA University of Pennsylvania - Department of Psychiatry.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is a growing body of evidence for the efficacy of psychodynamic therapy. Some representatives of other approaches, however, have repeatedly questioned its efficacy. Recently, another line of argumentation emerged, claiming that psychodynamic therapy may work, but that the mechanisms of change underlying its effects were not clear or even could not be tested empirically at all. OBJECTIVE: The present article critically reviews these allegations. RESULTS: The allegations put forward were shown to be mostly untenable. Mechanisms of change of psychodynamic therapy are testable and have been tested empirically. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence for both the efficacy of psychodynamic therapy and for the assumed mechanisms of change. The repeatedly presented critique by representatives of other approaches seems to be motivated more by political than by scientific reasons. However, further research on both the outcome and process of psychodynamic therapy is required.
BACKGROUND: There is a growing body of evidence for the efficacy of psychodynamic therapy. Some representatives of other approaches, however, have repeatedly questioned its efficacy. Recently, another line of argumentation emerged, claiming that psychodynamic therapy may work, but that the mechanisms of change underlying its effects were not clear or even could not be tested empirically at all. OBJECTIVE: The present article critically reviews these allegations. RESULTS: The allegations put forward were shown to be mostly untenable. Mechanisms of change of psychodynamic therapy are testable and have been tested empirically. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence for both the efficacy of psychodynamic therapy and for the assumed mechanisms of change. The repeatedly presented critique by representatives of other approaches seems to be motivated more by political than by scientific reasons. However, further research on both the outcome and process of psychodynamic therapy is required.
Keywords:
Empirical Evidence; Mechanisms of Change; Psychodynamic Therapy
Authors: Falk Leichsenring; Allan Abbass; Mark J Hilsenroth; Patrick Luyten; Thomas Munder; Sven Rabung; Christiane Steinert Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2018-04-24 Impact factor: 4.157