Four forms of psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy involving experienced therapists and psychiatric outpatients were compared in an outcome investigation. Patients received either individual therapy or group therapy that lasted either 6 months or 24 months. A comprehensive set of outcome scores provided by patients, therapists, and an independent assessor was monitored each 6 months including a 6-month follow-up assessment. Therapy outcome, therapy process as viewed by the therapists, and cost-effectiveness were examined. What emerged as important was the particular form of therapy received, not the general type of therapy or the general duration of therapy when considered as independent dimensions. The results favored long-term group therapy and short-term individual therapy over long-term individual therapy and short-term group therapy. Advantages and difficulties associated with each form of therapy are discussed.

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The relationships between the object (person) focus of therapist interpretations and outcome were examined for 21 patients who received short-term individual psychotherapy. Percentages of single objects and linked objects, e.g. therapist-parent link, were derived from an analysis of the therapy sessions. Patients, therapists and an independent assessor provided pre-therapy, post-therapy and six-month follow-up outcome scores. Contrary to other reports in the literature little evidence was found to support the hypothesis of a direct linear relationship between object focus and favourable outcome. Several explanations for the findings are discussed.

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