Psychotherapy

psychotherapy is on the relationship between the therapist and the patient and the ways in which this relationship encapsulates a repetition of the core developmental conflicts that have led to the evolution of psychopathological symptoms and the global personality structure. Addictive behaviours, for instance, are viewed as an attempted compromise solution to the individualâs core conflicts and are consistent with a self-medication model of addiction. What I term here attachment base exploratory psychotherapy should be utilized only after a period of stabilization, in essence abstinence from addictive behaviours, has been achieved. Generally this abstinence should be ongoing for three months plus. Individuals can be assisted in achieving such abstinence through behavioural supportive therapy and through involvement with self-help twelve step programmes. The psycho-physiological prototypes for the stages of base, holding, initiation/uncertainty and ending are considered to be: the womb, paternal matrix, acquisition of locomotion and individuation. It is suggested that the stages of treatment reify these early developmental milestones in the life of the individual. On this basis we can consider the re-deployment by individuals, during the treatment process, of their earliest object and self-representations, mirroring their adaptation to the prevailing conditions of the infantile base, holding, loco-motor and individuating environments. Base, Holding, Initiation and Ending: A Four Stage Model of Brief Dynamic Psychotherapy Based on the Re-capitulation of Infantile Developmental Stages Alistair D Sweet