Relational responsiveness: Inference and evidence
in the treatment of trauma
David Kealy, Ph.D., MSW
Scientific Meeting | Saturday, January 28, 2017 | Venue: Arbutus Club
2001 Nanton Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V6J 4A1
How can research inform our responses to patients who have suffered from relational trauma? What aspects of psychoanalytic treatment are most therapeutic? What are the roles of clinical inference and empirical evidence? Psychodynamically-oriented clinicians may despair that the unique individuality of the patient may be lost in an empirically-informed approach to psychotherapy. This presentation will integrate research findings and relational theory in a discussion of the treatment of trauma using long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy. The presentation will particularly focus on evidence for the consideration of and responsiveness to the patient’s unique characteristics and needs. Clinical vignettes will be used to illustrate an empirically-informed relational approach to treatment.
Dr. David Kealy is an Assistant Professor of Psychotherapy in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia, and a registered social worker with a private practice in consultation and psychotherapy. His research interests include psychodynamic psychotherapy and the study of identity and personality disorder.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this program/session/event participants will be able to:
- Provide an overview of relational conceptualizations of trauma and its treatment;
- Provide a review of the evidence base for psychodynamic psychotherapy;
- Describe the research evidence in support of individualized relational responsiveness in psychotherapy.
Scientific Program Committee: Judith Setton-Markus (Chair), Karin Holland Biggs, Elie Debbane, James Fabian