Rahmani F, Abbass A, Hemmati A, Ghaffari N, Rezaei Mirghaed S. Challenging the role of challenge in intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy for social anxiety disorder: A randomized controlled trial.
J Clin Psychol 2020;
76:2123-2132. [PMID:
32567708 DOI:
10.1002/jclp.22993]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP) requires the technique of challenge to defenses when treating resistant patients. As the technique of challenge is difficult for some therapists to practice, it leads us to question whether challenge can be replaced by clarification of defenses without losing treatment effectiveness. This study compared ISTDP with two different technical emphases while treating social anxiety disorder (SAD).
METHOD
Forty-two subjects with DSM-5 SAD were randomly assigned to either a waitlist control, 10 sessions of ISTDP with the use of challenge or 10 sessions of ISTDP without the use of challenge.
RESULTS
ISTDP led to significant, sustained symptom reduction on the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS-SR) compared with the control group. There were no significant outcome differences between standard ISTDP and ISTDP where challenge was restricted.
CONCLUSION
ISTDP is efficacious for SAD. ISTDP may be effective for SAD without the use of challenge elements.
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