MPO 541 Brief Psychodynamic Therapy
This course focuses on the theory, principles and practice of Brief Dynamic Therapy. Students will be instructed in the foundations of psychodynamic theory and be introduced to the practice of dynamic psychotherapy in all its stages. Students will review the literature regarding the efficacy of psychodynamic psychotherapy and examine an evidence-based approach to dynamic psychotherapy. Students will learn the application of brief dynamic therapy as outlined by Levenson (Time Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy). Students will have the opportunity to apply the theory and practice the techniques in monitored simulated therapy encounters with live actors (simulated patients) in the National Capital Simulation Center. Each student will conduct a 6 session “course” of therapy with a simulated patient and will receive supervision from TAs and the Instructor. The objectives are: 1) Students will develop a working knowledge of psychodynamic theory and the techniques of Brief Dynamic Therapy; 2) Students will critically examine the evidence of efficacy of dynamic psychotherapy; 3) Students will learn to apply brief dynamic therapy techniques in encounters with Simulated Patients and in class experiential demonstrations.