Technique I: The Therapeutic Situation

Ellen Abrams, C.S.W. 

PTY-A - 1st Year
Fall 2009

“Technique 1: The Therapeutic Situation” is an introduction to the concepts and techniques of psychodynamic psychotherapy.  The course emphasizes the attitude of the therapist and the elements of the therapeutic situation which are characteristic of this type of therapy.  Basic concepts such as transference, countertransference, resistence & working through are introduced.

*Available on P.E.P. and will not be provided to you by the Institute.

Session 1:
Dewald, P.  Indications for Psychotherapy and Evaluation of the Patient.  In Psychotherapy: A Dynamic Approach. Basic Books, 1969. Ch. VIII, pp. 113-142.

Session 2:
Schafer, R.  The Analytic Attitude: An Introduction.  The Analytic Attitude. IUP, 1983. Ch. 1, pp. 3-12.

Tarachow, S. The Theory of the Therapeutic Relationship.  An Introduction to Psychotherapy.  IUP, 1986. Ch. 2, pp. 8-22.

Additional (optional) bibliography:
*Hoffer, A.  Toward a Definition of Psychoanalytic Neutrality. JAPA. 1985. vol. 33:4, pp. 771-795.

Session 3:
Sandler, J., Dare, C., and Holder, A.  The Treatment Alliance.  The Patient and the Analyst.
London, Karnac Books, 1973.  Ch. 3, pp. 27-36.

Additional (optional) bibliography:
*Brenner, C.  Working alliance, therapeutic alliance, and transference. JAPA. 27:S, pp. 137-158.

Session 4:
*Beres, D. and Arlow, J.  Fantasy and Identification in Empathy. Psa.Q. 1974. vol.43:1 pp.26-50.

Additional (optional) bibliography:
*Levy, S.  Empathy and Psychoanalytic Technique.  JAPA 1985. vol. 33:2, pp.353-378.

*Schwaber, E.  Psychoanalytic Listening and Psychic Reality.  Int. Review of Psa. 1983. vol. 10:4 pp. 379-392.

Session 5:
Sandler, J., Dare, C., and Holder, A.  Transference.  The Patient and the Analyst.  London. Karnac Books, 1973.  Ch. 4, pp. 37-48.

Schlesinger, H.  Transference and the Process of Interpretation.  The Texture of Treatment: On the Matter of Psychoanalytic Technique. AP: London, 2003. Ch. 4, pp. 47-61.

Session 6:
Sandler, J., Dare, C., and Holder, A. Countertransference.  The Patient and the Analyst. London. Karnac Books, 1973.  Ch. 6, pp. 61-70.

Schlesinger, H. Transference and Countertransference.  The Texture of Treatment: On the Matter of Psychoanalytic Technique. AP: London, 2003.  Ch. 5, pp. 63-79.

Additional (optional) bibliography
*Sandler, J. Countertransference and Role Responsiveness.  International Review of PSA. 1976. vol. 3, pp. 43-47.

Session 7:
Sandler, J., Dare, C., and Holder, A.  Resistance.  The Patient and the Analyst. London. Karnac Books, 1973. Ch. 7. pp.71-83.

Schlesinger, H.  Resistance.  The Texture of Treatment: On the Matter of Psychoanalytic Technique. AP: London, 2003. Ch. 6, pp. 81-101.

Additional (optional) bibliography:
Brenner, C.  Defense Analysis. Psychoanalytic Technique and Psychic Conflict. IUP 1976.
Ch. 3, pp. 59-78.

Session 8:
Sandler, J., Dare, C., and Holder, A.  Interpretation, Other Interventions and Insight.  The Patient and the Analyst. London. Karnac Books, 1973.  Ch. 10. pp. 104-120.

Additional (optional) bibliography:
*Arlow, J.  The Genesis of Interpretation.  JAPA. 1979. vol. 27:S, pp. 193-206.

 Session 9:
Sandler, J., Dare, C., and Holder, A. Working Through.  The Patient and the Analyst. London.
 Karnac Books, 1973. Ch. 11, pp. 121-127.

Additional (optional) bibliography
*Freud, S. Remembering Repeating and Working Through.  S.E. vol.12, pp. 145-156.

Session 10:
Tarachow, S. The Structure of the Treatment Relationship.  An Introduction to Psychotherapy.  IUP, 1986. Ch. 10, pp. 118-133.