Practicing Psychodynamic Therapy A Casebook

This volume presents 12 highly instructive case studies grounded in the evidence-based psychodynamic therapy model developed by Richard F. Summers and Jacques P. Barber. Bringing clinical concepts vividly to life, each case describes the patient's history and presenting problems and takes the reader through psychodynamic formulation, treatment planning, and the entire course of therapy, including the challenges of termination. The cases address a variety of core psychodynamic problems, with outcomes ranging from very successful to equivocal. The emotional experience of the therapist is explored throughout. Commentary from Summers and Barber on every case highlights important points and key clinical dilemmas.

See also the authored book Psychodynamic Therapy, Second Edition: A Guide to Evidence-Based Practice, in which Summers and Barber comprehensively describe their therapeutic model.

Richard F. Summers, MD, ABPN, is Clinical Professor and Co-Director of Residency Training in the Department of Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania. He has written extensively on psychodynamic therapy, the therapeutic alliance, psychodynamic formulation, psychiatric education, and positive psychology, and is coauthor (with Jacques P. Barber) of Psychodynamic Therapy: A Guide to Evidence-Based Practice. Dr. Summers is the recipient of numerous national and local teaching awards, serves as Chair of the American Psychiatric Association Council on Medical Education and Lifelong Learning, and is a member of the Psychiatry Review Committee of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Past president of the American Association of Directors of Psychiatry Residency Training, he maintains an active clinical practice.

Jacques P. Barber, PhD, ABPP, is Professor and Dean of the Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies at Adelphi University. He is also Emeritus Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry and in the Psychology Graduate Group at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was formerly Associate Director of the Center for Psychotherapy Research; Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine; and Adjunct Professor at the School of Psychology and Counseling, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. His research focuses on the outcome and process of psychodynamic and cognitive therapies for depression, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, substance dependence, and personality disorders. He has published more than 180 papers, chapters, and books in the field of psychotherapy and personality, including The Therapeutic Alliance: An Evidence-Based Guide to Practice, coedited with J. Christopher Muran. Dr. Barber is past president of the Society for Psychotherapy Research.

Introduction, Richard F. Summers and Jacques P. Barber
1. Pragmatic Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: The Therapeutic Alliance and the Core Psychodynamic Problem, Richard F. Summers and Jacques P. Barber
2. Pragmatic Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Formulation, Therapeutic Change, and Termination, Richard F. Summers and Jacques P. Barber
3. Permission to Take a Breath: A Case of Depression, Holly Valerio
4. The Lonely Freshman: A Case of Depression, Bianca Previdi
5. Drifting Away: A Case of Depression and Obsessionality, Kevin McCarthy
6. “She’s Just Trying to Help”: A Case of Obsessionality, Lauren Elliott
7. Serial Killers, Movie Stars, and Eruptions: A Case of Obsessionality, Brian Sharpless
8. Skating in Circles: A Case of Fear of Abandonment, Dana A. Satir, Patricia Harney, and Kimberlyn Leary
9. “I Can’t Leave Him, I Think He Loves Me”: A Case of Fear of Abandonment, Robert Schweitzer and Alix Vann
10. The Uncertain Father: A Case of Low Self-Esteem, Samuel J. Collier
11. The Real Elmer Fudd: A Case of Low Self-Esteem, C. Pace Duckett
12. Horrified and Guilty: A Case of Panic Anxiety, Dhwani Shah
13. Our Therapeutic Journey: A Case of Trauma, Karla Campanella
14. Slaying the Dragon: A Case of Trauma, Margot Montgomery O’Donnell
Index