Mother-infant psychotherapy and perinatal psychiatry : Current clinical practice and future directions
- Authors: Galbally, Megan , Lewis, Andrew , Snellen, Martien , Paul, Campbell , Szego, Klara , Trauer, Tom
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australasian Psychiatry Vol. 14, no. 4 (2006), p. 384-389
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objective: To explore trends in the practice of mother-infant psychotherapy among perinatal psychiatry clinicians based in Melbourne. Methods: A cross-sectional survey with a purpose designed self-report questionnaire was used to assess the attitudes and practices of 47 perinatal and infant psychiatry clinicians in their use and understanding of mother-infant psychotherapy. Results: Seventy per cent of clinicians in this field of psychotherapy who responded to the questionnaire subscribe to a psychodynamic model, although cognitive behavioural models are also used. The interventions were mostly used in conjunction with other interventions, would be more accurately described as 'parent-infant psychotherapy', and non-psychiatrists in the area tended to be more likely to be formally trained in psychotherapy, but only 4% were formally trained in specific mother-infant psychotherapy. There was a unanimous request for further clinical training in this area. Conclusions: The emerging field of perinatal psychiatry needs to develop coherent therapeutic models and conduct outcome trials on specific interventions. Specific trainings in these models, in assessment and in diagnostic frameworks are required to enhance clinical efficacy, for research and service development purposes. © 2006 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003001670
Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy : Review of recent process and outcome studies
- Authors: Lewis, Andrew , Dennerstein, M. , Gibbs, Petah
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 42, no. 6 (2008), p. 445-455
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) is a widely practised form of psychological intervention. Given that the Roth and Fonagy (1996) review concluded that there was a lack of confirming evidence for STPP, the current review is focused on studies published between 1996 and 2006 that evaluate the efficacy of STPP. As a result of a systematic literature review, 18 studies were found that met inclusion criteria consistent with those used by Roth and Fonagy (1996) for selection of studies, patient groupings and definition of therapeutic method. In general these studies add to an increasing body of evidence suggesting that STPP can be an effective psychological treatment for individuals experiencing mental health problems. Specifically, for depression STPP can be equal in effects to other psychological treatments and is significantly better than no treatment in the short term. Furthermore, emerging process data indicate that there is a significant relationship between the use of specific psychodynamic therapeutic techniques and the alleviation of depressive symptoms. Increasing evidence has emerged to support STPP as a treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and some personality disorders. There remains limited evidence for the use of STPP treatment for patients with anxiety disorders that relate more to stress. Very limited and inconclusive evidence currently exists to support STPP as a treatment for bipolar disorder, eating disorders and drug dependency. Future research needs to include broader assessment measures, long-term follow up, studies that maintain an identifiable focus, and research that includes a focus on psychotherapy process variables as they interact with outcomes.
- Description: C1