Efficacy of Depth Therapy

Since psychotherapy has to do mainly with undergoing new experiences, not learning new propositions, the primary evidence to consult about the efficacy of psychodynamic therapy is one’s own experience, rather than published studies. When it comes to therapy, “egotism is true modesty,” as John Henry Newman said of religion and philosophy. Even so, it’s fair to consult secondary evidence when we have no direct experience to rely on. And when we do, we find that therapies of depth, insight, and relationship are efficacious according to metrics of empirical science.

John Thor Cornelius
The Case for Psychoanalysis

Nicolas Lorenzini
Does Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Work?

Linda Michaels has also written an engaging essay on psychodynamic therapy, “Therapy that Sticks,” online here. And Jonathan Shedler’s influential article, “The Efficacy of Psychodynamic Therapy,” is online here.

Those who’d like to know more about the empirical evidence for depth therapies can find more resources here.