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“With the publication of this book, clinicians of all stripes can gain access to a psychoanalytically informed approach to therapy, including worksheets and illustrative case examples. Readers wondering what makes therapy ‘psychodynamic’ will find answers in Busch’s masterful work. This book should be required reading in diverse mental health and psychotherapy training programs.”

—Howard Steele, PhD, Department of Psychology, The New School for Social Research


“Busch has done a masterful job of selecting and articulating core psychodynamic principles to construct a parsimonious theoretical framework that can be consciously accessible while conducting therapy. His approach is clearly explained and illustrated with vivid clinical vignettes. Busch presents an innovative assessment model for identifying problems to address and constructing a succinct psychodynamic formulation for each problem. Other unique features of Busch's theoretically integrative, contemporary approach include the use of worksheets comparable to those typically used in cognitive-behavioral therapy. Exceptionally user friendly, this book is an invaluable guide for students beginning to do psychodynamic therapy, as well as practitioners aiming to refresh or enhance their psychoanalytic knowledge and skills.”

—Jeffrey L. Binder, PhD, ABPP, Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University


“A recognized expert on psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, Busch knows what he is talking about! This book presents an innovative treatment approach that combines a problem-solving orientation with a psychodynamic understanding of personality functioning and dynamics. Busch goes through the process of psychotherapy, from developing a problem list to managing termination and everything in between. He defines terms like ‘unconscious,’ ‘defense,’ ‘transference,’ and ‘symptoms’—often lost in confusing jargon—in commonsense, understandable language, and uses case vignettes to bring his approach to life. End-of-chapter worksheets help readers internalize and apply what the text is teaching them.”

—Joel Weinberger, PhD, Derner School of Psychology, Adelphi University

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Table of Contents

Introduction

1. Core Psychodynamic Concepts and Models

2. Identifying Problems

3. Identifying and Addressing the Situations, Emotions, Thoughts, and Developmental Factors Contributing to Problems

4. Identifying and Addressing Self and Other Representations

5. Addressing Intrapsychic Conflicts and Defenses

6. Developing Mentalization Skills

7. Clarifying the Psychodynamic Formulation and Using It as a Framework of Interventions

8. Working Through

9. Termination

References

Index

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About the Author

Fredric N. Busch, MD, is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College and a faculty member of the Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research. His research and writing, including several books, have focused on topics including psychodynamic approaches to specific disorders, integrating psychotherapy and medication, and problem-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy. Dr. Busch was involved in developing panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy, the first psychodynamic treatment of a DSM anxiety disorder to demonstrate efficacy. He is the recipient of teaching and research awards from the American Psychoanalytic Association, Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research, and Weill Cornell Medical College, and is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.

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Audience

Practitioners and students in clinical psychology, psychiatry, clinical social work, psychiatric nursing, and mental health counseling.