A Concise Guide to Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Principles and Techniques in the Era of Managed Care (2nd ed.): Robert J. Ursano, Stephen M. Sonneberg, and Susan G. Lazar,  American Psychiatric Press, Washington, DC 1998,  250 pp., $21.00.

This volume is part of a series edited by Robert E. Hales, M.D., whose purpose is to summarize diverse areas of psychiatry for psychiatrists and particularly psychiatric residents. Some psychoanalysts might think that the complexities of psychodynamic psychotherapy are so great that concise summary without reductionism is impossible. I am delighted to report otherwise. A concise guide to Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Principles and Techniques in the Era of Managed Care, although brief, is complete, remarkably well organized, clearly written without jargon, and full of clinical wisdom.

Dr. Ursano is Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and editor of Psychiatry: Interpersonal and Biological Processes. In addition to being part of the teaching staff at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Dr. Sonneberg is Clinical Professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houson, Texas; and Dr. Lazar is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC.

Each of the 15 chapters contains tables that summarize and review key points. These function similarly to “concept slides” in a lecture. The specific topics and ideas that the authors elect to highlight are carefully—even ideally—selected, in every instance. The narrative text elaborates and illustrates the important points and is well referenced. Also well selected are clinical vignettes illustrating numerous diagnostic and treatment issues. Examples of brief, extended, supportive, and uncovering therapy are discussed as well as is therapy for specific disorders, such as borderline personality disorder. The first chapter, which discusses the efficacy and effectiveness of psychotherapy is particularly excellent. Among other topics discussed in an illuminating way are resistance and defense, transference, countertransference, the use of dreams in psychotherapy and termination. The bibliography is up to date