De-Idealizing the Unlocking of the Unconscious: Comment on Johansson et al., 2024
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70839/ktjh9f60Keywords:
ISTDP, Unlocking of the unconscious, Depression, Common factors, Mechanisms of change, psychodynamic psychotherapyAbstract
This commentary critically examines the role of the unlocking of the unconscious as a mechanism of change in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), in response to Johansson et al. (2024). While unlockings are associated with superior outcomes, substantial improvements also occur without them. Drawing on common factors research, the paper proposes complementary mechanisms – including increased awareness, patient agency, honesty, and relational factors – and argues for a more integrative understanding of change in ISTDP.
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