Marcia Adler MA and Joseph Cronin MSW
312/332-2197 (office) Adler
312/939-2503 (office) Cronin
MVAChicago@aol.com (Adler)
JCronin454@aol.com (Cronin)
Course Description
The purpose of this course is to familiarize students
with the process of thinking psychodynamically. Emphasis is on the
therapist’s self-awareness as the primary tool for conducting a psychodynamic
assessment and psychotherapy.
Using core concepts of transference, countertransference,
therapeutic alliance, therapeutic contract, developmental frameworks, treatment
phase 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.
In addition, the readings will focus on issues
of psychodynamic formulation. This semester will help students address
the concepts necessary for the writing component of the clinical practicum.
Course Objectives
-
Students will understand the clinical attitude necessary
for psychodynamic assessment and therapy
-
Students will develop self-awareness as primary tool
for assessment
-
Students will use core concepts of psychodynamic practice
to examine the clinical interview
-
Students will practice writing a psychodynamic assessment
with emphasis on psychodynamic formulation
Grading
These four components are equally weighted in
determining course grade:
1. Active contribution to class discussion
2. Presentation of a detailed process recording
from 2 or 3 successive sessions of a recent or current case that is in
any phase of therapy
a. The presentation should include a brief
description of the client, the presenting problem and its history, a brief
report of the relevant developmental history, and why you have chosen to
present this case.
b. The process recording should be as full a recalled
(from memory) transcript of the dialog of the sessions as possible. It
should resemble a script. It should be emailed to the instructors and students
on the Tuesday before class to allow time to read the material before the
presentation.
3. Written Assignments:
a. Instructors will prepare and provide
a case study write up. From this case material students will construct
1- 2 page psychodymanic formulation. Keep in mind the style and tone of
the Gabbard paper from 1st semester particularly the 6 criteria used for
constructing a psychodynamic formulation. This is due at the fifth
class.
b. Using the Case Study Outline from the ICSW
Student Manual students will choose either a past or current case 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 asked
for 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 this semester is to write a
complete assessment with focus on the psychodynamic formulation.
The assessment should be between 5-9 pages in length, due at the eighth
class.
Required Text
Hall, Jane S. (2004). Roadblocks on the
journey of psychotherapy. New York: Jason Aronson.
Course Assignments
Class 1:
Hall – Introduction and Chapter 7
2 Student Case Presentations (Section A)
Class 2:
Hall – Chapter 4
Continue 2 Student Case Presentations (Section
A)
Class 3:
Hall – Chapter 1
2 Student Case Presentations (Section B)
Class 4:
Hall -- Chapter 2
Continue 2 Student Case Presentations (Section
B)
Class 5:
Hall – Chapter 3
Continue 2 Student Case Presentations (Section
B)
Class 6:
Hall – Chapters 5 and 6
2 Student Case Presentations (Section C)
Class 7:
Hall – Chapter 8
Continue 2 Student Case Presentations (Section
C)
Class 8:
Hall – Chapter 9
Continue 2 Student Case Presentations (Section
C)
