Focus is key: Panic-focused interpretations are associated with symptomatic improvement in panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy.
| Publication Type | Academic Article |
| Authors | Keefe J, Solomonov N, Derubeis R, Phillips A, Busch F, Barber J, Chambless D, Milrod B |
| Journal | Psychother Res |
| Volume | 29 |
| Issue | 8 |
| Pagination | 1033-1044 |
| Date Published | 04/18/2018 |
| ISSN | 1468-4381 |
| Keywords | Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care, Panic Disorder, Psychotherapeutic Processes, Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic |
| Abstract | Objective: This study examines whether, in panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy (PFPP), interpretations of conflicts that underlie anxiety (panic-focused or PF-interpretations) are specifically associated with subsequent panic disorder (PD) symptom improvement, over and above the provision of non-symptom-focused interpretations. Method: Technique use in Sessions 2 and 10 of a 24-session PFPP protocol was assessed for the 65 patients with complete outcome data randomized to PFPP in a two-site trial of psychotherapies for PD. Sessions were rated in 15-min segments for therapists' use of PF-interpretations, non-PF-interpretations, and PF-clarifications. Robust regressions were conducted to examine the relationship between these interventions and symptom change subsequent to the sampled session. Interpersonal problems were examined as a moderator of the relationship of PF-interpretations to symptom change. Results: At Session 10, but not at Session 2, patients who received a higher degree of PF-interpretations experienced greater subsequent improvement in panic symptoms. Non-PF-interpretations were not predictive. Patients with more interpersonal distress benefitted particularly from the use of PF-interpretations at Session 10. Conclusions: By the middle phase of PFPP, panic-focused interpretations may drive subsequent improvements in panic symptoms, especially among patients with higher interpersonal distress. Interpretations of conflict absent a panic focus may not be especially helpful. |
| DOI | 10.1080/10503307.2018.1464682 |
| PubMed ID | 29667870 |