Analysis of argumentations and defences employed in short term psychodynamic therapy.

This thesis maps out the role of and the presentation of mechanisms occurring in an interaction, in this instance in a therapy relationship. The concept of psychoanalytic defences and other related mechanisms served as the bases for identifying these in the therapy process. In other words, defences are studied as an event in a relationship. This means that the mechanisms are identified by looking at both the therapists' contributions and the patients' responses in this context. The study is based on audio taped psychotherapy sessions. Seven patients were used as subjects. All seven were undergoing brief psychotherapy. Three subjects were undergoing cognitive analytic therapy (CAT) and four subjects were undergoing brief psychoanalytic therapy. All available sessions were transcribed. The transcripts of selected sessions have been used for an in- depth analysis. The methodology for the in-depth analysis was adapted from methodology developed for decision-making analysis. The defensive mechanisms and manoeuvres used by the patients have been identified by the analysis, as well as the therapist's various inputs have been described as they occur in the process. The nature of the identified mechanisms are described as they take place. The effects of the defensive mechanisms have been discussed in terms of the patients' difficulties and in terms of the impact these mechanisms are having on the ongoing therapy relationship. Finally the findings are discussed in the light of their correspondence to the existing psychoanalytic literature