Trauma-Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapy for Individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms

Abstract

Discusses the empirical and anecdotal clinical literature on psychodynamically based psychotherapy for individuals who meet the criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and includes a number of practical strategies and interventions based on the authors' clinical experience. The patient with PTSD presents with prominent intrusive reexperiencing of the traumatic experience through thoughts, images, and dreams, together with heightened anxiety, overt attempts to avoid reminders of the trauma, emotional numbing, and profound demoralization. In trauma-focused psychodynamic therapy of PTSD, the therapist's overarching objective is exploring the personal meaning of the traumatic event. Specific attention is devoted to examining the impact of the event on the self-concept and views of others, as well as to defensive maneuvers being used to ward off painful emotions and nihilistic, frightening, or hopeless meanings attributed to the trauma or its aftermath. Support, advice, active expressions of empathy, and education can also be crucial components of this kind of treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)