Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: An Effectiveness Study

Objective: Both the National Institute of Mental Health and the American Psychological Association have called upon psychodynamic practitioners to start demonstrating their outcomes. This effectiveness study attempted to begin to answer these calls. Method: The study was a secondary analysis of data from a multidisciplinary, psychodynamic mental health clinic. It used a single-group, within-subjects longitudinal design. The psychometrically validated Outcome Questionnaire was used as a measure of change. A linear mixed and random effects model was used to analyze the data. The aims of this study were (a) to look at whether subjects improve and (b) if so, at what variables moderate outcome. Results: Findings suggest that psychodynamic treatment, provided within this practice configuration, is effective over time, producing moderate effect sizes, and points to the particular importance of the first three months. Conclusions: Findings suggest a common course of recovery, with some between-group variability.