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Integrative Parent Psychotherapy: Using the Cyclical Psychodynamics Approach

This article explores the ways in which the cyclical psychodynamics framework can be applied to parent psychotherapy to ameliorate a child's symptomatology. It is argued that working therapeutically with parents calls for an integrative approach that uses multiple concepts and different interve...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of psychotherapy integration 2023-12, Vol.33 (4), p.422-438
Main Authors: Dollberg, Daphna G., Behrendt, Hadar, Shorer, Maayan, Bamberger, Esther
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:This article explores the ways in which the cyclical psychodynamics framework can be applied to parent psychotherapy to ameliorate a child's symptomatology. It is argued that working therapeutically with parents calls for an integrative approach that uses multiple concepts and different intervention modalities to address the bidirectional interplay between the intrapersonal sphere of the parent, the intrapersonal sphere of the child, and the interpersonal parent-child interactions, where the behavioral and relational spheres of both are expressed. Using this framework can serve to conceptualize how the child's symptoms emerged and are maintained and to identify points and ways in which change can occur. A case study of a child with encopresis is discussed. We show how creating a case formulation and conceptualizing the vicious and virtuous cycles in the parent-child relationship can contribute to forming an alliance with the parents, setting treatment goals, planning interventions, and eventually improving the child's symptoms and well-being. Then, a clinical vignette illustrates the integrative use of mentalization-based, cognitive-behavioral, and emotion-focused treatment strategies. We discuss how they each contribute to changes in intrapsychic and interpersonal patterns in the parents and the child. Finally, we discuss the merits and limitations of this therapeutic approach and suggest directions for future exploration and research. Public Health Significance StatementThe cyclical psychodynamics framework offers a novel approach to parent psychotherapy, by emphasizing the interplay between the intrapersonal and interpersonal spheres of the parent-child relationship. This article shows the importance of taking an integrative approach when working therapeutically with parents to address a child's symptomatology. By using multiple mentalization-based, cognitive-behavioral, and emotion-focused concepts and interventions, clinicians can address the complex interplay between these different spheres of the parent and child, leading to improved symptomatology and well-being. This study provides insights into the case formulation process and how vicious and virtuous cycles can be identified to plan effective interventions. The results lay the foundation for future research in parent psychotherapy and underscore the importance of addressing both covert-representational and overt, reality-based behavioral spheres to improve parent-child relationships and child ou
ISSN:1053-0479
1573-3696
DOI:10.1037/int0000311