Abstract
The present review systematically examined current outcome studies on psychodynamic psychotherapy to build a comprehensive understanding of its overall effectiveness. The review synthesizes 43 outcome studies, including randomized controlled trials (n = 26) and quasi-experimental designs (n = 17), across diverse durations, settings, and clinical presentations. The review included quantitative, peer-reviewed studies written in English and published between 2015 and 2024 that measured the treatment outcomes of psychodynamic psychotherapy. Results showed that 41 studies (95%) reported significant symptom improvements for psychological conditions and disorders, including mood, personality, anxiety, somatic symptom, trauma, eating, mixed disorders, and general psychological distress. Effect sizes were typically moderate to large. The findings highlight the potential broad utility of psychodynamic psychotherapy. This review supports and extends prior research into psychodynamic psychotherapy outcomes.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Psychodynamic psychotherapy—Evaluation; Psychotherapy—Research; Mental illness—Treatment—Evaluation
Date of Award
2025
School Affiliation
Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Department/Program
Psychology
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctorate
Faculty Advisor
Edward Shafranske
Recommended Citation
Bendau, Gregory, "Evaluating the clinical effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapy: a systematic review of outcome studies" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 1677.
https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd/1677