Psychodynamic psychotherapy and global health

Abstract

This study surveys and examines the literature about psychodynamic psychotherapy in low and middle income countries. Although much has been written on this topic, the literature remains disjointed, unsystematic, and lacks randomized controlled trials. This trend is in stark contrast with a growing body of systematic literature and randomized controlled trials that exist in other types of psychotherapy used in low and middle income countries. While there is evidence that other types of psychotherapy are useful in these countries, questions remain regarding the implementation of psychodynamic psychotherapy. Is psychodynamic psychotherapy relevant to non-Western cultures? Are changes necessary to make it relevant? Is psychodynamic psychotherapy economically feasible in low and middle income countries? Although definitive answers to these questions do not yet exist, as psychodynamic psychotherapy is open-ended and client-centered, it is likely to be flexible across a wide range of cultures.