The Training of Psychodynamic Psychiatrists: The Concept of “Psychodynamic Virtue”

Abstract

Competence as a psychodynamic psychiatrist requires more than the acquisition of a body of theoretical knowledge and a set of technical skills. It calls for the acquisition of a set of virtues--attitudes of mind and heart--that are embedded in the character and person of the developing resident. The authors enumerate and explore these psychodynamic virtues. They discuss how residency training can best serve to develop these virtues in residents.

Psychoanalysis and Treatment of Body Image Disturbances in Eating and Weight Disorders

“…It takes more than a set of technical knowledge, the acquisition of a number of virtues -attitudes of mind and heart -that are embedded in the character and personality of the therapist. Brenner and Khan [83] explore these "psychodynamic virtues": thin and requesting empathy, ability to accept and confirm, curiosity and confidence with the underlying meanings, humility in the face of uncertainties and ambiguity, openness to transference involvement, ability to feel rewards and satisfaction for little things more inherent development of the therapeutic process than its results.…”

Psychopathology of Eating Disorders According to Neurobiology of Attachment: An Instrument to Overcome Resistances to Treatment?

“…These subjects are often scared by their perception of the others, and the interiorized image of devaluating and unfaithful caregivers produces transferal reactions which are highly ambivalent and often obstacle the caring relationship (Vitousek and Watson, 1998) [21]. Only the attitudes, we could say virtues (Brenner and Kahn, 2013) [22], of the current caregiver, which is the therapist, who involves the patients in an affective, reliable, trustful, validating, respectful relationship (Fassino, 2014) [23] represent the beginning of the reconstruction of new parts of the Self by means of the same neurobiological mechanisms of intentional attunement and embodied simulation that were insufficient in early infancy. These new neurobiological interactions will progressively modify the structure and the tropisms of brain circuits related to attachment, and possibly stabilize a new healthy existence.…”