Practicing Psychodynamic Therapy

“The chapters are well written….While reading the case, the reader can see therapists using a mixture of therapies at the beginning and gradually transferring to pragmatic psychodynamic psychotherapy….This is a very useful and enjoyable book that one would like to use in teaching psychodynamic psychotherapy.”

—Academic Psychiatry


“Practicing Psychodynamic Therapy is an excellent complement to Summers and Barber’s earlier evidence-based guide, Psychodynamic Therapy. The psychodynamically formulated case studies are fascinating, and beautifully demonstrate the struggles and learning curve of novice therapists, describing in a refreshingly honest way their successful—and less-than-successful—interventions with patients who suffer from obsessionality, depression, trauma, and more. The down-to-earth and clear exposition of both theory and clinical cases makes this an exceptionally valuable book for beginning therapists, as well as undergraduate and graduate students being exposed to psychodynamic concepts and practice for the first time. This volume convincingly dispels any myths about the relevance of psychodynamic therapy for the practice of psychotherapy today.”

—Stanley B. Messer, PhD, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey


“This compelling, clearly written book addresses important for clinicians starting out in the world of mental health: What is psychodynamic psychotherapy? Why should a well-informed clinician learn it? How does it work? Jargon-free clinical cases—written by clinicians from varied training backgrounds who utilize a wide range of psychodynamic techniques—depict treatment with patients who suffer from panic disorder, major depression, combinations of depression and anxiety, and personality disorders. A 'must read' for clinicians of all orientations, this book will help to solidify psychodynamic therapy and techniques in the contemporary psychotherapeutic landscape.”

—Barbara Milrod, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College


“Referencing the emerging body of research on the efficaciousness of psychodynamic theory, this volume is organized around 12 cases presented by early-career psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. The diverse cases bring to light the unique relationship between psychotherapist and client and offer an in-depth look at individual approaches taken within a psychodynamic framework. Each of six core psychodynamic problems identified by Summers and Barber is covered in the cases. With its evidence-based focus, carefully selected cases, and emphasis on creating a change-oriented therapeutic alliance, this casebook will be an invaluable resource for mental health professionals for years to come.”

—Aaron T. Beck, MD, University Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania


“This accessible clinical casebook illustrates how patients and therapists can work together to address and resolve the most common core problems encountered in therapeutic practice. Twelve refreshingly candid treatment narratives demonstrate specific techniques for working through these problems at different stages of therapy, offering useful strategies for catalyzing and assessing change. Both novice and experienced clinicians will find much of use in this book.”

—Diana Diamond, PhD, Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology (Emerita), City University of New York, and Senior Fellow, Personality Disorders Institute, Weill Medical College of Cornell University


“Summers and Barber have gathered a series of eloquent and detailed cases that illustrate and enrich the approach elaborated in their earlier book, Psychodynamic Therapy: A Guide to Evidence-Based Practice. In this casebook, contributing authors openly share their clinical experience in a personal and candid fashion, offering a window into the very private relationships that develop between therapists and their patients. Indispensable for students of psychotherapy and their teachers, the book provides a rich opportunity for clinical learning and reflection.”

—Eve Caligor, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons


“Therapists searching for psychodynamic concepts and techniques that will help them better conceptualize their patients’ problems will benefit greatly from this book. The book begins with a summary of the authors' framework and then follows with 12 extensive case studies in which their model is carefully applied, assisting clinicians in identifying and working with each patient's core psychodynamic patterns. This is an outstanding, essential book for all dynamically oriented clinicians.”

—Walter N. Stone, MD, Department of Psychiatry (Emeritus), University of Cincinnati School of Medicine