Psychodynamic Treatment, Training, and Supervision Using Internet-Based Technologies

Abstract

For several years, the China American Psychoanalytic Alliance (CAPA) has provided treatment, training, and supervision to Chinese mental health professionals over the Internet. The lack of Chinese analysts and mentors has created an intense demand for psychodynamic psychotherapy training and treatment that CAPA is addressing using Skype™ and other distance communication technologies. This article describes the project, its history, scope, and activities, and the experiences of CAPA teachers and clinicians in exploring and developing the usefulness and power of this very new teaching method. Some particular characteristics of Chinese culture have become apparent as a result of the teaching experience. Aspects of the transference and countertransference that are shaped by the virtual nature of the technology are discussed, using case material. Our hope is that, in helping to train our Chinese students in psychodynamic psychotherapy, they will go on to train future generations of clinicians. This model of teaching and training could also be applied in other underserved areas.

The future of online therapy

“…For example, Fishkin et al (2011) believe that the degree of physical communication via the internet approximates that of the in-person analytic session. Other supporters of e-therapy maintain that when the route of touch or smell in the communication is blocked, as it is online, other modalities will, in all probability, compensate, ).…”

“…Supporters of e-therapy believe that it is functionally equivalent to an in-person analysis and integrates traditional components in the analytic process such as transference and countertransference experiences, resistance, and working with unconscious communication (Fishkin et al, 2011;Scharff, 2013). Those welcoming etherapy believe that resistance in psychotherapy via the internet may take both similar and/or different forms from that of face to face psychotherapy.…”

Psicoterapia pela Internet: viável ou inviável?

“…TCCs online podem mostrar-se mais efetivas quando comparadas a outras psicoterapias (Fishkin, Fishkin, Leli, Katz, & Snyder, 2011).…”

Desenvolvimento de protocolos para acompanhamento de psicoterapia pela Internet

“…Desenvolvimento de protocolos para acompanhamento de psicoterapia pela Internet Skype da China American Psychoanalytic Alliance (Fishkin et al, 2011).…”