Psychodynamic short-term psychotherapy. New development, methods of treatment, efficacy, indication

A major proportion of out-patient psychotherapy is of short duration. Yet r ecently developed psychodynamic short-term psychotherapies have still not f ound adequate reception in training and practice. We give an overview of th e development from drive-oriented to interpersonal and eclectic approaches. Special requirements of technique are presented, with regard to limited ti me and goals,the necessities for the therapist to become more active, and t o formulate and to maintain a focus from the beginning of the treatment. Co ntroversies regarding managing transference and resistance are discussed in t findings. Good and lasting effects of the increasingly manualized treatme nts are well-established for less severe (e.g. adjustment) disorders. With the widening scope of treatment adherence to rigid and narrow time limits i s not always feasible and technical adjustments become necessary. There is still a need for research on the indication for short-term psychotherapy, i ts place in the treatment career, and on efficacious models for training th erapists.