Practice in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Clinical Experience, Supervision and Case Formulation

During the course the students will participate actively as co-therapists in

individual psychodynamic psychotherapy of patients in Academic Center

of Psychotherapy. Moreover they will observe the process of

psychotherapy and take part in supervision of the patients. The final task

of the student will be to write a case study about the patient they coconducted.

12 ECTS points = 300 hours work load:

- 120 hours – attendance

- 90 hours – preparing the case study

- 60 hours – writing brief reports after each session

- 30 hours – reading literature

The aim of the class is to provide students with the first experience of

being in contact with the patient in the role of a psychotherapist. The

students will have the opportunity to participate in the class actively as

co-therapists of one patient and observe the process of psychotherapy of

two patients in Academic Center of Psychotherapy (Smyczkowa Street

11A). There will be 8 students enrolled in the class. Each student for

approximately 7 sessions will conduct psychotherapy of one patient with

the leading psychotherapist while the rest of the group will observe the

process. After two sessions with the patients there will be one-hour

supervision. The direct contact with one patient will be the basis for

formulating of a case study that nowadays is one of the standard criteria

to become a certified psychotherapist.

these books – the chapters will be chosen

separately for each student based on her/his needs and the characteristics

of the patient in therapy.

- Gabbard, G.O. (2010). Long-term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy:

A Basic Text. Washington D.C.: American Psychiatric Publishing.

- Gabbard, G.O. (2005). Psychodynamic Psychiatry in Clinical

Practice. Washington D.C.: American Psychiatric Publishing.

- McWilliams, N. (2011). Psychoanalytic diagnosis. Understanding

Personality Structure in the Clinical Process. The Guilford Press.

- McWilliams, N. (2004). Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy: A

Practitioner’s Guide. The Guilford Press.

Learning outcomes  acquiring psychotherapeutic skills of a psychodynamic

psychotherapist

 understanding the process of psychotherapy in terms of

psychodynamic theory

 self-awareness of one’s own emotional and cognitive processes

(counter-transference) and its impact on the psychotherapeutic

process

 skill to formulate a case study

 knowledge of chosen psychodynamic concepts of psychopathology

and psychotherapy process

 Attendance - necessary condition (see also “Attendance rules” and

“Remarks”)

 Case study (15-20 pages) - 60 points, criteria: the quality of the text

and punctuality

o Part I (20 points): to be done till 11

th of January 2019: (1) Life

history, current situation and the main problem of the

patient, (2) ICD-10 diagnosis, (3) PDM diagnosis

o Part II (40 points): to be done till 17

th of May 2019. The whole

case study.

 Brief reports after each session - 20 points, criteria: consciousness &

punctuality

o Fall semester – 10 points

o Spring semester – 10 points

 Attitude – 20 points, criteria: engagement, consciousness &

punctuality during the work with the patient, during the supervision

and concerning extra tasks (e.g. reading literature).

Criteria for the grades:

points grades

99 - 100 5!

92 - 98 5

85 - 92 4,5

77 - 84 4

69 - 76 3,5

60 - 68 3

Attendance rules

Attendance is a necessary condition to pass the class. Only sick leave and

extreme life situations will be handled as a valid excuse. All the absences

will be individually discussed with the class conductor. Unexcused

absences are not allowed. More 16 hours of absence with excuse for a

semester mean that the student will not be able to pass the class.

Note that psychotherapy sessions with patients cannot be paused

because of student holidays. This course continues also in holiday times,

during which you are expected to be present. Plan you holidays

accordingly. See also “Remarks” for class dates.