How to Practice Brief Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: The Core Conflictual Relationship Theme Method

How to Practice Brief Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: The Core Conflictual Relationship Theme Method is a clinically based and clinically illustrated manual that walks the reader through the development of the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme (CCRT) focus that is necessary to practice this specific form of brief psychodynamic psychotherapy (BPP). The CCRT Method is a research-supported, easily operationalized, valid, and reliable form of conducting a strongly interactive form of brief therapy. The CCRT method offers symptom relief and limited but significant character change in a 16-session format that focuses on and helps the client work through one crucial, circumscribed area of maladaptive personality style. Small changes in this one behavioral theme, or dimension, have been seen to be associated with larger more pervasive shifts in functioning. After presenting general background about the BPPs and specific discussion of the CCRT rationale and process, author Howard E. Book offers the reader a unique analysis of CCRT therapy in action. In an extended clinical vignette, the reader may follow therapist and client in a step-by-step manner, from initial session; to therapist formation, articulation, and presentation of the CCRT; through the tripartite 16-session course of therapy itself; and finally to termination and follow-up.