AN OPEN TRIAL OF BRIEF SUPPORTIVE-EXPRESSIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER

The purpose of the current investigation was to conduct a treatment de velopment study applying brief Supportive-Expressive psychodynamic psy chotherapy to the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Bac kground and rationale for the development of an interpersonally-orient ed psychodynamic therapy for GAD are presented, followed by the method s and results of the treatment development project. The goals of the p roject were to develop a treatment manual, train therapists, assess th e integrity of the treatment delivered, and collect preliminary effica cy data. Outcome data on 26 patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of GAD in dicate that the treatment appears to be promising. Patients revealed s ignificant change in anxiety, as well as in depression, worry, and int erpersonal problems. Ratings of therapist adherence and competence ind icate that the treatment manual can be implemented with fidelity and c an be discriminated from another treatment. Methodological issues in t he planning of treatment research on GAD, particularly the problem of comorbidity, are discussed.