Experiential dynamic therapy: a preliminary investigation into the effectiveness and process of the extended initial session.

OBJECTIVE This study explored whether patients in specialist psychology services made early gains on theoretically relevant therapeutic processes and outcomes after a trial therapy session (one 2- to 3-hour initial Experiential Dynamic Therapy session). METHOD This practice-based, nonrandomized trial used a pre-post design. Thirty-one patients (23 women, average age of 37) completed standardized measures of symptoms of general distress, interpersonal functioning, self-compassion, and remoralization before and after the trial therapy session. Video recordings of the sessions' therapy process were rated on the Achievement of Therapeutic Objectives Scale. RESULTS After the trial therapy session, patients reported a significant increase in remoralization and self-compassion and a significant decrease in symptoms of general distress but not interpersonal problems. Process ratings were not significantly associated with improvement on these outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS This initial positive effect could be due to the session or an effect of time or placebo. Future research using active control conditions is warranted.