Evaluation of psychic change through the application of empirical and clinical techniques for a 2-year treatment: a single case study

Abstract

The authors present results obtained by a combination of clinical and empirical methods used in the evaluation of psychic change involving a single case study carried out during 2 years of nonmanualized psychodynamic psychotherapy (Barber & Crits-Christoph, 1993; Barber, Foltz, DeRubeis, & Landis, 2002). A multidimensional definition of change that includes clinical (psychoanalytic) and empirical perspectives is provided. The authors used material from supervision sessions and clinical meetings to assess the psychodynamic diagnosis and evolution. The following empirical techniques and instruments were used: core conflictual relationship theme (Luborsky & Crits-Christoph, 1990), Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (Derogatis, 1983), and Differential Elements for a Psychodynamic Diagnostic (C. M. Lo´pez Moreno et al., 1998). Several markers of psychic change along the therapeutic process were found. The instruments proved to be sensitive to the changes obtained during the psychotherapy. Used together, the instruments allowed an integrated evaluation of the patient’s evolution during the treatment.