Competency

CLINICIAN COMPETENCIES for KNOWLEDGE While long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy can be transformative for many psychiatric conditions, it is not universally suitable. Certain psychiatric disorders, or specific presentations of these disorders, can pose significant challenges or even contraindications to this approach. The reasons often relate to the therapy’s reliance on insight, sustained engagement, and a capacity for … Read more

CLINICIAN COMPETENCIES for KNOWLEDGE Psychodynamic psychotherapy, particularly in its long-term form, is uniquely suited to addressing deep-seated emotional, relational, and personality issues. Unlike shorter-term, symptom-focused treatments, long-term psychodynamic therapy delves into unconscious processes, developmental history, and recurring relational patterns that shape a patient’s psyche and behaviors. Certain psychiatric disorders, particularly those rooted in complex intrapsychic … Read more

CLINICIAN COMPETENCIES for KNOWLEDGE Mentalization and reflective function are foundational concepts in contemporary psychodynamic theory and practice. These terms describe the ability to understand and interpret one’s own and others’ mental states—thoughts, feelings, desires, and intentions—which are critical for self-regulation and interpersonal functioning. Originally rooted in attachment theory and later expanded by researchers such as … Read more

CLINICIAN COMPETENCIES for KNOWLEDGE Psychodynamic theory provides a nuanced understanding of the structural and functional organization of the psyche. Central to this framework is the distinction between neurotic and borderline ego organizations. These terms, introduced and elaborated by psychodynamic thinkers such as Otto Kernberg, reflect distinct ways individuals experience and manage internal conflict, interpersonal relationships, … Read more

CLINICIAN COMPETENCIES for KNOWLEDGE Understanding defense mechanisms is a cornerstone of psychodynamic theory and practice. These unconscious psychological strategies help individuals manage internal conflicts, alleviate anxiety, and maintain emotional equilibrium. While defenses serve an adaptive function, their effectiveness and healthiness vary widely. This article explores the hierarchy of defense mechanisms, categorizing them from the most … Read more

CLINICIAN COMPETENCIES for KNOWLEDGE From a psychodynamic standpoint, personality is a dynamic, multifaceted construct that reflects the interplay of conscious and unconscious processes, developmental experiences, and the complex interplay of drives, defenses, and relationships. Understanding the components of personality is essential not only for psychotherapy but also for appreciating the richness and variability of human … Read more

CLINICIAN COMPETENCIES for KNOWLEDGE Determining whether a patient is suitable for psychodynamic therapy is a nuanced process, requiring an understanding of the individual’s psychological functioning, their capacity to engage in self-reflection, and the nature of their presenting issues. Unlike approaches that focus primarily on symptom relief, psychodynamic therapy delves into the deeper layers of personality … Read more

CLINICIAN COMPETENCIES for KNOWLEDGE In psychodynamic therapy, transference, resistance, and countertransference are foundational concepts, each offering a lens through which to understand and engage with the unconscious dynamics that unfold between therapist and patient. These concepts are not only theoretical cornerstones but also practical tools that shape the therapeutic process. When understood and managed skillfully, … Read more

CLINICIAN COMPETENCIES for KNOWLEDGE Rudimentary Psychodynamic Developmental Theories for Practice: A Reflection The practice of psychodynamic therapy is deeply rooted in developmental theories that trace the origins of adult personality, behavior, and psychopathology to the early years of life. These theories provide a framework for understanding how the interplay of biological, relational, and environmental factors … Read more

CLINICIAN COMPETENCIES for KNOWLEDGE Rudimentary Psychodynamic Developmental Theories for Practice: A Reflection The practice of psychodynamic therapy is deeply rooted in developmental theories that trace the origins of adult personality, behavior, and psychopathology to the early years of life. These theories provide a framework for understanding how the interplay of biological, relational, and environmental factors … Read more