ABSTRACT

The purpose of learning and practicing brief dynamic psychotherapy is to help people to improve their psychological functioning and make meaningful changes in their lives in a timely manner. How to most effectively evaluate the nature and degree of change that has occurred as a result of therapy is an important question for both therapists and researchers alike. It is no surprise to students and more seasoned psychotherapy practitioners that there is an increasing emphasis on the use of short-term psychotherapies, including brief dynamic psychotherapy (BDP), stemming from growing expectations from third-party payers, government agencies, and professional organizations for greater therapist accountability and demonstration of psychotherapeutic cost-effectiveness. To meet these demands, the systematic evaluation of psychotherapy outcomes is essential. Findings from outcome studies not only provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of therapy but also generate valuable information that can be used to improve and refine the treatment being offered.