Presented a three-part examination of theory and technique in psychodynamic psychotherapy entitled, “Malan, Winnicott, and the Psychodynamic Treatment of Trauma and Depression

Abstract

This presentation is a three-part examination of theory and technique in psychodynamic psychotherapy. Part one examines Winnicott’s therapeutic consultation (Winnicott, 1971). He would meet with children and their parents in a long session that was a combination of assessment and intervention. Based on previous published work (e.g., Jerry, 1994) and on-going clinical practice, the presenter poses the question, “if Winnicott’s therapeutic consultation was distilled into a method or technique, what might this look like?” Part two examines the clinical approach initiated by David Malan (1979), extended by Gustafson (1986), and which is experiencing a revival in Canadian clinical practice. Malan makes use of the triangles of person and conflict as a means of structuring his approach to clinical problems. The triangle of conflict is used to examine clinical problems based on the presenting anxiety, the defences used to manage that anxiety, and the underlying unconscious dynamics driving the surface presentation. The triangle of person situates the conflicts in terms of current relationships, past significant relationships, and their manifestation in the transference. Based on previous published work (Jerry, 1997, 1998) and on-going clinical practice, the presenter reviews Malan’s model and describes clinical material based on this method. The third part of this presentation takes the case material used in parts one and two and examines other aspects of the treatment process including transference/countertransference, dream material, and other issues such as finances, scheduling, and the real vs. therapeutic relationship. This series of presentations will be of interest to graduate students, clinicians new to psychodynamic treatment, and practising clinicians. A basic understanding of psychodynamic concepts will be presumed.

Rural and Northern abstract:

Distance Supervision in the North Increasingly in recent years, the issues of education and supervision across geographical distances are making their way to the forefront of discussions in professional psychology. This presentation describes a distance supervision relationship between a provisional registered psychologist located in the Yukon and a registered psychologist located in south-eastern Alberta. Topics that may be covered include details of the nature of the supervisory contract, methods and techniques for dealing with distance, negotiation with a regulatory body regarding supervision arrangements, the use of face-to-face time, and ethical concerns.