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Understanding and Treating Anxiety Disorders: A Psychodynamic Approach

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Clinical Handbook of Anxiety Disorders

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Psychiatry ((CCPSY))

Abstract

This chapter seeks to offer an overview of the psychodynamic theory and treatment of anxiety disorders. We begin by tracing psychodynamic conceptualizations of anxiety from Freud to the present day. Next, we describe contemporary psychodynamic models of anxiety disorders. We then review the current research on psychodynamic treatments, which provides empirical support for psychodynamic psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. Finally, we offer recommendations for empirical and theoretical future directions, emphasizing the value of rigorous research methods and the potential benefits of integrating psychodynamic thought and technique with other therapeutic orientations.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Given the brevity of this chapter, we will necessarily omit substantial theory and theorists that should otherwise be discussed.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Matt Gitlin for his editorial assistance.

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Author notes

  1. Jonah N. Cohen and Simona C. Kaplan contributed equally to this chapter.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Jonah N. Cohen

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA

    Jonah N. Cohen

  3. Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Simona C. Kaplan

Authors
  1. Jonah N. Cohen
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  2. Simona C. Kaplan
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Correspondence to Jonah N. Cohen .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Eric Bui

  2. Department of Psychiatry Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Meredith E. Charney

  3. Department of Psychiatry Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Amanda W. Baker

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Cohen, J.N., Kaplan, S.C. (2020). Understanding and Treating Anxiety Disorders: A Psychodynamic Approach. In: Bui, E., Charney, M., Baker, A. (eds) Clinical Handbook of Anxiety Disorders. Current Clinical Psychiatry. Humana, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30687-8_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30687-8_17

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