Joachim Sehrbrock, Ph.D., R.Psych.

Description

This competency-based psychodynamic practicum introduces students to fundamental psychodynamic concepts and their application in the clinical practice of psychodynamic psychotherapy. Particular emphasis is placed on gaining familiarity with contemporary Object Relations Theory, Intersubjectivism, and Relational perspectives and their clinical applications. Furthermore, clinical assessment, (conventional and psychodynamic) diagnosis, the development of a comprehensive case formulation, and formulation-informed treatment are also emphasized during this practicum. By the completion of the practicum, students will be familiar with basic competencies as well as foundational techniques of contemporary psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Types of Cases

In this practicum, students typically provide treatment to adult patients. These may present with a variety of presenting problems including: anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, adjustment disorders, relational or work challenges, and/or features of personality disorders. Patients will be selected in collaboration with the supervisor during the second or third supervision meeting. Selection criteria will be reviewed for the appropriateness of patients for psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Caseload

Students will provide treatment to two patients at the UBC Clinic during the practicum. If a patient prematurely terminates before the end of the practicum, a substitute patient may be selected from the UBC clinic wait list.

Supervision Approach

Supervision consists of 2-3 hours of direct supervisor interaction, which includes both individual and group meeting time. For each supervision meeting, students are asked to review their session videos and prepare a written transcript (based on the video recording) of a section from the session with one of their patients. These sections may reflect parts of the session which were challenging, were significant in some way, or about which the student has questions. Transcripts should also include comments of ongoing case formulation that include specific psychodynamic concepts such as: transference, countertransference, enactments, projective identification, reverie, or rationales for various levels of interpretations. In addition to the assignment of a textbook, there will be additional readings on issues relevant to specific issues discussed during supervision.