Life structure revitalization: an adult developmental approach to psychodynamic psychotherapy

In this paper we, first, briefly review existing efforts to integrate adult development theory into psychodynamic psychotherapy. Next, we examine the concept of life structure and discuss its evolution across the eras and periods of the adult years. We explore the added concepts of the core self, the vital life structure, and life structure management skills. In so doing, we provide a context for proposing a new definition of the primary task of treatment: to help patients develop life structures that ensure a good fit between internal aspects of the self and the roles, relationships, and activities that comprise their lives. The creation of a life structure that is as fully expressive of the core self as reality permits increases patients' sense of vitality and well-being.