Advances in brief psychotherapy: a review of recent literature

Clinicians, theorists, and researchers have for many years debated the issue of if, and how, psychotherapy can be abbreviated. It is only in recent years, however, that economic, social, and political factors have converged in a manner that makes it urgent for most psychotherapists to consider doing treatment quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively. This review examines recent and significant trends in the literature on brief psychotherapy. Some of the important directions in short-term therapy that the authors examine are the broadening of criteria for patient selection, increasing attention to life-stage developmental issues, more flexible and creative allocation of time in therapy, new approaches to short-term group psychotherapy, and use of diverse intervention techniques. Outlooks for the future of brief treatment are also discussed.