Psychiatric & psychological brief psychotherapy PKP for depression - an empirical outcome study

This paper reports on a field study comparing depression treatment with Psychiatric and Psychological Brief Psychotherapy (PKP) with a waiting list control group. The theoretical and research background of PKP is the assumption that psychological symptoms in general and depression in particular can be interpreted behaviourally as avoidance behaviour: In a very difficult interpersonal situation, people refrain from defensively asserting their own interests. In order for this avoidance to succeed, feelings such as anger, rage or sadness must be consistently suppressed. This is only possible with the help of symptom formation. The aim of therapy is therefore to make these feelings accessible again by carrying out emotion exposures. PKP is a modular psychotherapy in which the goal and approach are individually tailored to the personal problems of each patient. Work was carried out in 24 weekly sessions with consultation and therapy cards.The therapy culminated in 6 four-weekly maintenance therapy sessions. There were highly significant improvements with good to very good effect sizes. Only a few patients required conversion to long-term therapy. The catamnesis after a further 6 months showed stable therapeutic success.