The role of hope in psychodynamic therapy (PDT) for complex PTSD (C-PTSD)

ABSTRACT

Psychodynamic therapy (PDT) for complex PTSD (C-PTSD) focuses on the interpersonal relationships of sufferers with difficulty forming trust-based relationships. By focusing on the relationship with the therapist, PDT helps sufferers gain insights into other interpersonal relations. Hope plays an important role in the process, as described by Stephen A. Mitchell, and it could be useful to utilize this concept’s uniqueness in order to understand PDT processes. The article describes the process in which my hopes as the therapist drew closer to those of Daniel, the patient, within the potential space built by therapy. Inner change arose when the client ‘lived’ the new words suggested by me during the interpretation work, which broke down the old familiar awareness states while symbolizing new hopes and states of awareness. This article is important for clinicians by indicating the salience of PDT for treating C-PTSD sufferers, while introducing clinicians to the concept of ‘Hope’.

KEYWORDS:

• Hope
• complex PTSD
• psychodynamic therapy
• interpersonal relationships

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ofir Levi

Ofir Levi, Ph.D., On the basis of my Ph.D. dissertation and my wide-range experience as post-trauma therapist (in my capacity as Commander of the Unit - Post Traumatic Stress Disorders Treatment Unit, IDF) my research naturally deals with the following two main issues: hope and diagnosis. Likewise it focuses on treatment and prevention of chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. My original Ph.D. thesis was formatted and arranged as a Five-Step Therapeutic Model. This Model is based on short-term dynamic orientation which combines dynamic and behavioral tools aimed at treating chronic post-trauma. I have retired from my IDF service and opened a private clinic. As a therapist I treat PTSD and anxiety disorders using the patients’ hope according to the protocol I developed and give workshops to groups in different organizations. In addition, I carry out teaching, researching and publishing my findings. The focus of my work is all levels of trauma, positive psychology, hope, prevention of post-trauma, cognitive-behavioral therapy, dynamic individual and group treatment, diagnosis and analysis processes. Address: Department of Social Work, Ruppin Academic Center & The Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel- Aviv University.