Related Experiment Videos
Planned brief psychotherapy in clinical practice.
The British Journal of Medical Psychology
|December 1, 1984
Summary
This study explored brief psychotherapy techniques in diverse clinical settings. Patients with subjective distress but good external functioning, external support, and a clear psychodynamic focus showed better outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Psychotherapy Research
- Clinical Psychology
- Mental Health Services
Background:
- Investigated the applicability of brief psychotherapy techniques developed at Tavistock Clinic in broader clinical settings.
- A workshop involving five professionals from mixed backgrounds conducted the study over three years.
Observation:
- Fifteen patients initiated treatment, with 13 completing it; 12 were followed up for 3 months to 2.5 years.
- Developed specific forms to track patient progress, psychodynamic focus, and treatment process.
- Compared charted data with behavioral and psychodynamic outcome ratings.
Findings:
- Patients with high subjective distress but effective external functioning, strong external support, and a workable psychodynamic focus tended to have better outcomes.
- Outcome was not significantly correlated with early deprivation, object-relations capacity severity, onset time, or practical therapy aspects.
- Results generally align with Malan's (1976) previous findings.
Implications:
- Suggests that specific patient characteristics and therapeutic elements are key predictors of success in brief psychotherapy.
- Highlights the potential for wider application of these brief psychotherapy techniques within National Health Service (NHS) out-patient settings.
- Supports the need for further research into the efficacy and implementation of these methods in routine mental health care.