The Evidence Base for Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Abstract

In this article, the authors provide background on evidence-based practice and then summarize the evidence base for short-term and long-term psychodynamic psychotherapies. The research included conforms to the hierarchy of evidence promoted by the evidence-based practice movement. Experimental research on psychodynamic psychotherapy reveals these therapies have generally moderate to large effect sizes for depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, somatic disorders, some substance abuse disorders, and some mixed disorders. There is a clear evidence base supporting psychodynamic psychotherapy as effective in treating several mental health disorders. Additional outcome research on psychodynamic psychotherapies, using varied outcome measures, should be funded and completed.

Keywords:

• psychodynamic psychotherapy
• evidence-based practice
• systematic review
• evidence base

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This article is an expanded and updated version of a paper presented at the Society for Social Work and Research in Tampa, Florida, in January 2011.