Course Description:
The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the process of thinking psychodynamically and therapeutically from the first moment of client contact.
Using core concepts of transference, countertransference, therapeutic alliance, therapeutic contract, developmental frameworks and motivation, among others, we will examine in detail the therapist’s attitude, activity and interventions. We will study the therapeutic encounter as it informs the clinical evaluation of the client.
Assigned readings will focus on diagnostic assessment. This semester will introduce students to the concepts necessary to begin the writing component of the clinical practicum.
Course Objectives:
The main objective of this course is to enhance students understanding of the relationship between diagnosis and prognosis, how diagnosis informs treatment, and how diagnosis relates to developmental processes.
Students will also:
- understand the clinical attitude necessary for psychodynamic assessment and therapy
- develop self-awareness as primary tool for assessment
- use core concepts of psychodynamic practice to examine the clinical interview
- practice writing a psychodynamic assessment
Basis for Grade:
1. Active contribution to class discussion
2. Presentation of a detailed process recording of a recent or current case that is in opening phase:
The presentation should include a very brief description of the client, the
presenting problem, why the person has come for therapy at this time and why you have chosen to present this case.
The process recording should be as full a recalled(from memory)transcript of sessions as possible. It should resemble a script. It should either be distributed to instructor and students, typed and Xeroxed, at the class before you are scheduled to present OR emailed two days prior to class. This is to allow students and instructor time to review the material before the presentation.
3. Presentation of readings for class discussion:
- Outline of major points without extraneous detail.
- Present a clinical vignette or situation that relates to some aspect of the reading.
- Fellow classmates should come prepared to participate in discussion of readings.
4. Written Assignment:
Using the Case Study Outline provided by instructor, students will choose a current case and follow the Outline to write a case report. (The case does not have to be the same case that you present in class.) It is expected that not all information listed in the Outline will be known by the student, but that a reasonable and earnest attempt be made with available data to examine the case as fully as possible.
The assignment for first semester is to write a first draft, with the expectation additions and corrections will be suggested. The assessment should be between 4-6 pages in length. Second semester papers are expected to be more integrative of the concepts/ideas introduced in class throughout the year with respect to diagnostic assessment and psychodynamic formulation.
Both papers will be due at the eighth class –last class of the semester. Only hard copies submitted to instructor will be accepted. Please no electronic submissions. Late papers will be accepted only at the discretion of the instructor. In all written work students should use APA format, where applicable, and should properly reference all sources, including the Internet.
5. Attendance:
Students are asked to notify the instructor of any absences. A student who misses more than two classes per semester will receive a failing grade.
Required Reading:
McWilliams, Nancy (1994), Psychoanalytic diagnosis: Understanding personality structure in the clinical process. New York: The Guilford Press. The McWilliams book is available from Amazon Books at www.amazon.com or Stern’s Books at 773/883-5100 or STERNBOOKS@aol.com.
PDM Task Force (2006), Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual. MD: Alliance of Psychoanalytic Organizations.
Chethik, Morton (2000), Techniques of Child Therapy: Psychodynamic Strategies. (2nd ed.). New York: The Guilford Press. Chethik book is available from Amazon Books at www.amazon.com.
Course Assignments:
Class 1:
Introduction
Review of Psychodynamic Terms/Concepts and Case Study Outline Video: “Systems of Psychotherapy,” Nancy McWilliams, PhD
Class 2:
McWilliams, Chapters 1&2;
Chethik, Chapter 1
Student Case Presentation
Readings ___________________
Case _______________________
Class 3:
Discussion of PDM: Adult Mental Health Disorders: pp.157-172
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Disorders: pp. 175-190
Student Case Presentation
Readings __________________
Case ______________________
Class 4:
McWilliams, Chapter 3;
Chethik, Chapter 2
Student Case Presentation
Readings ___________________
Case _______________________
Class 5:
McWilliams, Chapter 4;
Chethik, Chapters 3,4,5
Student Case Presentation
Readings ___________________
Case _______________________
Class 6:
McWilliams, Chapters 5-6 -Defenses
Student Case Presentation
Readings ___________________
Case _______________________
Class 7:
McWilliams, Character Organizations (pp. 145-149) & Chapter 7;
Chethik, pp. 95-10 (Introduction) and Chapter 6 (The Treatment of the Neurotic Child)
Student Case Presentation
Readings ____________________
Case ________________________
Class 8: Written Assignment Due
McWilliams, Chapter 8
Chethik, Chapters, 7&9, (Character Pathology)
Student Case Presentation
Readings ____________________
Case ________________________
Class 9:
McWilliams, Chapters 9,10
Chethik, Chapter 8
Readings ____________________________
Case________________________________
Class 10:
McWilliams, Chapter 11
PDM: Child & Adolescent Personality Patterns, pp.209-223
Student Presentation
Readings ____________________________
Case________________________________
Class 11:
McWilliams, Chapter 12
Zelnick, L. (2005). The computer as an object of play in child treatment. Journal of Infant, Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy, 4:209-217. PEP
Readings ____________________________
Case________________________________
Class 12:
McWilliams, Chapter 13
Zelnick, L. (2005). Confronting deadness in dissociation: a relational perspective on
the treatment of an adolescent. Journal of Infant, Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy, 4:255-270. PEP
Readings __________________________
Case _____________________________
Class 13:
McWilliams, Chapter 14
Slade, A. ( ). Making meaning and making believe: their role in the clinical process. Affect in symbolization.
Readings ___________________________
Case_______________________________
Class 14:
McWilliams, Chapter 15
*Levy-Warren, M.H. ( ). The Adolescent Journey. NJ: Jason Aronson, Inc.
Readings_________________________
Case___________________________
Class 15:
*Alvarez, A. ( ). Different uses of the countertransference with neurotic, borderline, and psychotic patients.
Altman, N. (1997). The case of Ronald: oedipal issues in the treatment of a seven-year-old boy. Psychoanalytic Dialogues, 7:725.739. PEP
Readings_______________________
Case___________________________
Class 16:
Final Assignment Due
Slavin, J.H. (1994). On making rules: toward a reformation of the dynamics of
transference in psychoanalytic treatment. Psychoanalytic Dialogues, 4:253l.274. PEP
Readings: ________________________
*Those of you working with children may want to look at pp 207-223 in the PDM – “Child and Adolescent Personality Patterns and Disorders.