111: Introduction to Systematic Empirical Research
Instructors
Leon Hoffman, M.D.
Sean Murphy, Ph.D.
June 3 – June 10, 2024
Mondays, 7:00 – 8:25 pm
Course Description
This course will provide an introduction to the systematic empirical study of psychoanalysis and psychotherapy. The instructors will touch on the history of research at NYPSI, discuss the conception of psychoanalysis as a science, and compare systematic empirical research and clinical case studies.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:
- compare clinical cases approaches and systematic empirical approaches
- describe how clinical material can be examined in a systematic fashion
Evaluation Method
Each student’s participation in class discussion and his or her demonstration of understanding of the course objectives and reading material is assessed in a written evaluation by the instructor(s).
These articles are protected under relevant copyright regulations. They are available in the New York Psychoanalytic Society & Institute Electronic Reserve for your convenience, and for your personal use.
READINGS ARE CONFIRMED.
I. Comparison of Clinical Case Studies and Systematic Empirical Research
CLASS 1: June 3, 2024
BACKGROUND READINGS
Bachrach, H. and Hoffman, L. (2010). Research at the New York Psychoanalytic Society: The First Century (1911–2011). The New York Psychoanalyst. Spring/Summer
Lilliengren, Peter. (2017). Comprehensive compilation of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving psychodynamic treatments and interventions.
REQUIRED READINGS
Eagle, M.N. and Wolitzky, D. L. (2011). Systematic empirical research versus clinical case studies: a valid antagonism? J Am Psychoanal Assoc, 59(4):791-818.
SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS
Tasca, G. A., Sylvestre, J., Balfour, L., Chyurlia, L., Evans, J., Fortin-Langelier, B., … & Wilson, B. (2015). What clinicians want: Findings from a psychotherapy practice research network survey. Psychotherapy, 52(1), 1-11.
II. Case Study Plus Methodology
CLASS 2: June 10, 2024
REQUIRED READINGS
Wolpert, L. Fonagy, P. (2009). There is no place for the psychoanalytic case report in the British Journal of Psychiatry. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 195:483–487.
Luyten, P. Blatt, S.J. Corveleyn, J. (2006). Minding the Gap Between Positivism and Hermeneutics in Psychoanalytic Research. J. Amer. Psychoanal. Assn., 54(2):571-610. (Study pages 587-599: Clinical data and the case study method in psychoanalytic research: Cinderella or Pandora’s box?)
SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS
Leichsenring, F., Abbass, A., Hilsenroth, M. J., Leweke, F., Luyten, P., Keefe, J. R., … & Steinert, C. (2017). Biases in research: risk factors for non-replicability in psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy research. Psychological medicine, 47(6), 1000-1011.
Prout, T. A., Bernstein, M., Gaines, E., Aizin, S., Sessler, D., Racine, E., Spigelman, A., Rice, T. R., & Hoffman, L. (2019). Regulation focused psychotherapy for children in clinical practice: Case vignettes from psychotherapy outcome studies. International Journal of Play Therapy, 29(1), 43–53.