Book Review: Psychotherapy: Psychodynamic Therapy: A Guide to Evidence-Based Practice

Abstract

Reviews the book, "Psychodynamic therapy: A guide to evidence-based practice" by Richard F. Summers & Jacques P. Barber (see record 2010-02010-000). Psychoanalysis, a theory and technique-driven form of psychotherapy that originated with Freud in the late 19th century, dominated early American psychiatry and psychology. Freudianism often became a secular substitute for religion with its analyst high priests. Mysterious, with the analyst knowing all because of understanding the complexities of Freudian thought, many came to want to be analyzed and cured of problems stemming from childhood trauma. The authors have produced an excellent text if a school wished to keep psychoanalysis in its curriculum. But by demystifying Freudianism, an absence of demonstrated superiority of PPP as against other therapies, and the length of time PPP takes to cure, the authors will probably fail to win the accolades that count—from third party payers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)