Psychodynamic Psychotherapy for Personality Disorders: A Clinical Handbook

Personality Disorders are among the most prevalent mental disorders, both in the community and in clinical practice. Psychodynamic psychotherapy is an essential element of their treatment, and is frequently the treatment of choice. Clarkin, Fonagy and Gabbard have assembled the world's leading experts (a group that includes themselves) in this comprehensive survey of psychodynamic theory, personality pathology, specific therapies for personality disorders, and evidence concerning their efficacy. Anyone who works with these patients will want this review of research, the current state of treatments, and prospects for the future. An essential reference for any mental health professional who deals with personality disorders. --Robert Michels, M.D., Walsh McDermott University Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry, Cornell University, Training and Supervising Analyst, Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research

This well-documented and articulate manual gathers in one place the psychodynamic psychotherapy thinking and research on each of the Axis II personality disorders. Psychodynamic Psychotherapy for Personality Disorders: A Clinical Handbook includes the work of 22 contributing writers in addition to the three primary authors, John F. Clarkin, Ph.D., Peter Fonagy, Ph.D., and Glen O. Gabbard, M.D. Each contributor has extensive clinical experience, and some also have research experience, with the assessment and treatment of specific personality disorders. The focus of the book is the psychodynamic conceptualization, assessment, and treatment of the personality disorders as currently described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The 16 chapters are divided into sections that address the definition of personality pathology, approaches to treatment, and research for future directions. The authors conclude that -- to the surprise of many -- new research and reviews indicate that psychodynamic treatments are effective for personality disorders, and their impact is as great as that of cognitive-behavioral treatments.