The role of psychodynamic psychotherapy in a modern general psychiatry service

Abstract

The relationship between psychiatrists and psychotherapists is a complicated one. It has become no easier as mental health services have come under increasing strain over recent years, with pervasive bureaucratisation and the introduction of market forces. I aim in this article to elucidate the roles that a psychodynamic psychotherapy service can play as an integral part of a general psychiatric service in addition to its specialist treatment functions. I also explore some of the reasons why psychotherapy and general psychiatric services are still not fully integrated, thus failing to provide the most effective range of treatments and enhance the effectiveness of mental health staff in all settings in the delivery of those treatments.