Dynamic interpersonal therapy as experienced by young adults

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate young adults’ experiences of brief dynamic interpersonal therapy (DIT). Six young adults (19–25 years old) who had undergone DIT at the Psychology Clinic at Stockholm University and the Erica Foundation in Stockholm were interviewed about their experiences of therapy and the changes that therapy may have brought about. The results showed that after therapy the respondents had better understanding of their feelings and better capacity to set and manage boundaries in relationships. The changes described by the respondents mainly concerned relationships and were perceived as highly important for them. Regarding specific aspects of DIT, their views diverged. In future research, we suggest that DIT’s interpersonal affective focus may be of particular interest, especially in relation to the therapeutic alliance.

Keywords:

• short-term psychodynamic therapy
• youth
• patient perspective
• qualitative research
• psychotherapeutic change

Acknowledgements

Warm thanks to the respondents who participated in this study. Many thanks also to the Psychology Clinic at Stockholm University and the Erica Foundation in Stockholm for making this study possible.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.