"I've built a good life for myself": A qualitative study of patient-perceived change in transference-focused psychotherapy.

IF 3 1区心理学 Q2 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Psychotherapy Research Pub Date : 2026-04-30 DOI:10.1080/10503307.2026.2665695

Monika Olga Jańczak, Emilia Soroko

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective: Despite growing evidence from outcome research on Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP), studies focusing on patients' perspectives remain limited. This study aimed to examine how patients perceive change as a result of TFP.

Method: Twelve patients (10 women, 2 men) in the advanced phase of TFP were recruited from private outpatient practices across Poland. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth qualitative interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: Six overarching themes were identified: (1) From distance to trust: relational transformation in the therapeutic relationship, (2) Identity integration and change in self-image, (3) Increased capacity for ambivalence in experiencing others, (4) Internal change translated into real-life relationships, (5) Symptom reduction and improved everyday functioning, and (6) Change as an ongoing, non-linear process.

Conclusion: Patients described therapeutic change in TFP primarily in terms of transformations in self-other representations, increased identity integration, and relational experience rather than symptom reduction alone. These findings demonstrate how qualitative data can complement quantitative research by capturing how therapeutic change is subjectively lived and made meaningful, responding to calls to broaden the evidentiary basis of psychotherapy research beyond quantitative studies.

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“我已经为自己建立了一个美好的生活”：一项以移情为中心的心理治疗中患者感知变化的定性研究。

目的：尽管移情聚焦心理治疗（TFP）的结果研究证据越来越多，但关注患者视角的研究仍然有限。本研究旨在研究患者如何感知TFP导致的变化。方法：12例晚期TFP患者（10名女性，2名男性）从波兰的私人门诊诊所招募。数据通过半结构化、深入的定性访谈收集，并使用专题分析进行分析。结果：确定了六个主要主题：(1)从距离到信任：治疗关系中的关系转变；(2)身份整合和自我形象的改变；(3)在体验他人时矛盾心理的能力增加；(4)内在变化转化为现实生活中的关系；(5)症状减轻和日常功能改善；(6)变化是一个持续的非线性过程。结论：患者描述TFP的治疗变化主要体现在自我-他人表征的转变、身份整合的增加和关系体验方面，而不仅仅是症状的减轻。这些发现表明，定性数据如何通过捕捉治疗变化是如何主观地生活和有意义的来补充定量研究，响应了扩大心理治疗研究证据基础的呼吁，超越了定量研究。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Psychotherapy Research PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL-

CiteScore

7.80

自引率

10.30%

发文量

期刊介绍： Psychotherapy Research seeks to enhance the development, scientific quality, and social relevance of psychotherapy research and to foster the use of research findings in practice, education, and policy formulation. The Journal publishes reports of original research on all aspects of psychotherapy, including its outcomes, its processes, education of practitioners, and delivery of services. It also publishes methodological, theoretical, and review articles of direct relevance to psychotherapy research. The Journal is addressed to an international, interdisciplinary audience and welcomes submissions dealing with diverse theoretical orientations, treatment modalities.