Die tiefenpsychologisch fundierte Methodik in der Praxis

Depth psychologically founded psychotherapy (tfPT) is historically a method derived from psychoanalysis. It was introduced in 1967 into the scope of psychotherapy in Germany by the Psychotherapy Guidelines and has developed since then a certain autonomy. This contribution describes its methodical basis and its practical application in the context of the Psychotherapy Guidelines in Germany. A standard tfPT method for the treatment of neurotic conflict disturbances is distinguished from the modified tfPT for the treatment of developmental disturbances and posttraumatic disorders. The method is defined by several characteristics in this paper: Current psychosocial problems of the patients are worked through as re-actualised conflicts or results of structural deficiencies in their actual genetic unconscious dimension. The uncovering and working through of transference in external relationships is of special importance. The therapeutical regression is limited by the setting (one encounter per week in vis-a-vis position, limitation to 50 up to 80 sessions in total), by focusing on the psychosocial reality and by restriction of the transference. Specific intervention forms, particularly interpretations, can be combined with structure oriented interventions or eclectic techniques. The orientation at the unconscious dimension of the disturbance and at the process is the central reference point of the complete therapeutic strategy. This definition allows a clear demarcation against psychoanalytic psychotherapy. The essential difference is to be seen in the focusing on the re-actualised elements of the relevant psychodynamics and in including the external relationships into transference (“Dezentrieren”). The specific methodology requires a special education with a depth psychologically founded self experience as its core.