ARTICLE
PSYCHODYNAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR PEOPLE IN THE SECOND HALF OF THEIR LIVES
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Psychoter 2014;168(1):77-91
ABSTRACT
Psychodynamic psychotherapy for people in the second half of their lives. The article discusses the basic notions of psychodynamic psychotherapy for people in the second half of their lives, that is for people in their mid-and late adulthood. The topic is of current interest due to the rapid ageing of the society, but even so it remains neglected. The article presents the developmental perspective and discusses the reasons for which persons in the second half of their lives undergo treatment. It puts forward the conditions necessary for patients to qualify for therapy and analyses the issue of prognosis. It discusses the meaning of early childhood experiences for the psychopathology of middle and late adulthood and the related technical problems. It reflects on the problematic experience for the middle and, in particular, late adulthood. This experience is essential for the psychopathology of these periods of life and includes: death, loneliness and dependence. Finally, the article discusses the characteristics of several factors necessary for the process of psychotherapy which are also typical for people in the second half of their lives: specific regression and countertransference.