The need for dynamic psychotherapy

Abstract

A survey of consultant psychiatrists identified the core characteristics of patients who require referral for specialist dynamic psychotherapy. Those are patients with neuroses, personality disorders and affective disorders who have longstanding and complex emotional and interpersonal problems which stem from their early life experiences. They need a level of expertise and an intensity and/or length of treatment which cannot safely and reliably be provided by either general psychiatric services or primary care. The survey suggests that 0.1% of the population/year would benefit from referral for specialist dynamic psychotherapy.