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Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Module Synopsis

This module offers students a thorough and comprehensive foundation in Psychodynamic Therapeutic methods, micro-skills and applications essential to working within a variety of clinical manifestations.

Learning outcomes
  • Demonstrate and evaluate a client for assessment purposes and apply a Psychodynamic Formulation as a working hypothesis and a treatment plan
  • Apply the terminology and concepts of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy to a range of clinical presentations
  • Critique and evaluate the approach that differing Psychodynamic methods can respond to and treat differing clinical manifestations in the clinical setting
  • Identify and understand the differing symptomatology and presentation of clients from a developmental deficit and trauma perspective and how to work within the Psychodynamic Frame
  • Examine each theory and method in relation to therapeutic process and identify common issues and difficulties that may be experienced in the application of therapeutic processes

Content areas
  • Assessment and Psychodynamic Formulation
  • The Therapeutic Frame
  • Affect Regulation - An Overview
  • Affect Regulation - Addictions and Self-harming Behaviour
  • Developmental Trauma
  • PTSD and Complex PTSD
  • Dissociation
  • Clinical Manifestations - Depression, Anxiety and Somatization
  • Clinical Manifestations - Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Clinical Manifestations - The Suicidal patient in Psychotherapy
  • Families and Groups
  • Termination of Therapy

Textbook and Readings
The texts for this module are Gabbard, G.O. (2005) Psychodynamic Psychiatry in Clinical Practice. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc. and McWilliams, N. (1994) Psychoanalytic Diagnosis: Understanding Personality Structure in the Clinical Process. New York: The Guilford Press

Module Duration and Workload:
This module involves a total of 36 hours of face to face delivery or self-directed study including educator contact in flexible delivery modes, generating a further 120 hours of self-study per module including research and related study activities, including assessment. This translates as 13 hours per week for the module.

Study method:
On Campus, Distance Education and Online Education
The studies, combined with my previous work experience, have led me into a more satisfying role in an industry I know well. My studies have given me the confidence to manage a role where top notch "soft skills" are essential.
Pip Pearson
Graduate Diploma of Counselling