Psychodynamic Psychiatry in the Philippines

Abstract

The authors describe the practice of psychodynamic psychiatry in the Philippines. They review features of contemporary psychodynamic psychiatry, the state of psychodynamic psychiatry in training programs, and its integration in national professional societies. Despite psychodynamic psychiatry's wide acceptance in the professional community in the Philippines and neighboring Southeast Asian countries, delivery of care to over 110 million residents of the archipelago requires creativity given the small number of psychiatrists. The authors discuss how psychodynamic psychiatry impacts the national mental health scene and propose future directions involving forging international linkages.