Exploring change processes in psychodynamic child psychotherapy: The therapist’s perspective

The concept of ‘change’ in a broad perspective has been discussed through the history of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis (e.g. Strachey 1934, Kris 1956, Blum 1992, Cooper 1992, Klimovski, Bekman Vainer, de Goldberg, de Kuitca, de Liberman & Siniavsky 1994). The question as to what constitutes good conditions for change in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis is constantly recurring (e.g. Rogers 1957, Strupp 1973, Stewart 1990, Pine 1992, Stern et al. 1998). Descriptions of what can be regarded as change agents show that many perceptions exist side by side. For example, an important dividing line is the one that runs between the emphasis on the relationship as an important ingredient in the change process and the emphasis on the necessity of the verbal interpretation that leads to insight.