Psychodynamic Psychotherapy of a Child with Internalizing Symptoms: A Study of Outcomes

Abstract

When psychopathology is considered as a developmental phenomenon, the data on child psychotherapy must be of interest to all therapists. The aim of this study was to assess the results of psychodynamic psychotherapy in a child with internalizing symptoms using data obtained from the patient, her mother, her teacher and her psychotherapist. A systematic single case study was performed. The data were obtained using the following tools: interviews, the Rorschach Method, the Child Behaviour Check List for Children and Adolescents, the Teachers Report Form and questionnaires completed by the patient's mother and therapist. The psychotherapeutic treatment lasted for 40 sessions and the patient was 8 years old at the start of therapy. She presented with head and stomach aches after the sudden death of her father, as well as difficulty adapting to her new school. The Rorschach results indicated improvement in cognitive triad variables, interpersonal relations and expressing affection. Data from the patient, mother and therapist converged to yield the clinical picture of a more spontaneous girl, dealing better with her feelings and more socially integrated. This points to the importance of using mixed methods to assess psychotherapies and of consulting multiple informants.