Models of Brief Psychodynamic Therapy: A Comparative Approach

This practical and scholarly text presents a comprehensive review and evaluation of the theory, research, and practice of psychodynamically oriented brief psychotherapy. Offering in-depth discussions of the major clinical and theoretical approaches; chapters explore commonalities and differences in patient selection, theory of personality and psychopathology, theory of change, and techniques of therapy. The book addresses general questions about the efficacy of each approach and gives special attention to treatment of "difficult" patients, children, adolescents, and the elderly.

"This is a most thoughtful and clearly written review of brief psychodynamically oriented psychotherapies. The authors explore a wide range of therapies from a conceptual framework, allowing for comparison and critical evaluation of each approach. Their conceptual scheme and integration of theory, practice, and research offers depth of understanding beyond the typical surveys of psychotherapy. Both psychotherapy students and experienced clinicians will find it an outstanding reference." --Sara J. Knight, PhD, Northwestern University Medical School, in Doody's Journal: Health Sciences Book Review

"This book is a major achievement. It is comprehensive, well organized, and a remarkable combination of sophistication and clarity. It is not only an outstanding guide to brief therapy from a psychodynamic point of view but an excellent presentation of contemporary perspectives in psychoanalytic thought in general. A marvelous addition to the literature that will be of great value to beginning student and practicing clinician alike." --Paul L. Wachtel, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, City University of New York

"Messer and Warren make a superb contribution in bringing up to date the historical and current front runners in brief psychotherapy. It is lucid, well-documented, and includes a pointed discussion on the fate of psychotherapy in general." --James Mann, MD, Professor of Psychiatry Emeritus, Boston University School of Medicine; Training & Supervising Analyst Emeritus, Boston Psychoanalytic Institute

"Whether an era of rapid change is nerve-wracking, exhilarating, or debilitating depends in part on the company you keep and your philosophical perspectives. Messer and Warren contribute their company and perspectives to us, making exhilaration more likely. Their book on brief psychodynamic therapies is comprehensive, careful, and lucid. In a admirable way they keep their presentations as simple as possible but provide a deep look by an apt combination of concrete case examples and passages of superb theoretical explanation and integration." --Mardi J. Horowitz, MD, Professor of Psychiatry, University of California at San Francisco, Director, Center on Stress and Personality, Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute

"Even highly sophisticated psychotherapists will be helped by Models of Brief Psychodynamic Therapy as a guide to a field that has become more and more diverse and complicated. Long term dynamic psychotherapy is still the most commonly used form of psychotherapy, but brief dynamic is becoming more used and only partly because of the competition with managed care. The book is not only intended for training beginning clinicians, but will help those who practice the usual long term dynamic psychotherapy to also become capable in brief psychodynamic therapy. The book traces the history of the basic models of brief dynamic psychotherapy and illustrates them by case examples that are concrete, vivid, and easily remembered. Many long term psychodynamic psychotherapists will pick up this book, as I just did, and get engrossed in it. This book will help those who wish to expand their range of skills, as I once did, by also becoming comfortable and competent in brief psychodynamic therapy." --Lester Luborsky, PhD, Center for Psychotherapy Research

"In the burgeoning literature of short-term psychotherapy this volume emerges as a jewel. It includes some of the most incisive and sophisticated discussions of different approaches to time-limited psychotherapy from a psychodynamic perspective and realistically appraises their promise as well as their limitations. The authors are thoroughly versed in clinical theory, research, and practice which inform their writing throughout. Their exposition and clinical examples are lucid and a pleasure to read. I have rarely seen a more sympathetic yet sober assessment of what can be done for the `difficult' patient. The book should become required reading for any therapist, patient, and policymaker who tries to chart a course of realism and sanity in this confused and troubled field." --Hans H. Strupp, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Emeritus, Vanderbilt University

"This work remains a major achievement, and it promises to inform and inspire ongoing elaboration of theory, practice, and research in brief dynamic treatment as we revise our understandings of the therapeutic endeavor. The authors trace the connections between representative schools of thought in contemporary psychoanalysis, empirical research, and the concrete particulars of the therapeutic situation, and enlarge our ways of seeing, understanding, and acting as we go about our work. I know of no better text for students, trainees, teachers, and researchers in the field of brief dynamic psychotherapy." --William Borden, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago