Critical literature review: effectiveness of individual psychodynamic psychotherapy for adults with intellectual disabilities

Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities,Volume 10, Issue 4, July 2016. Purpose To report the evidence base for the practice of individual psychodynamic psychotherapy with adults with intellectual disabilities. Design/methodology/approach Literature review Findings 14 papers were reviewed. From these, 1 existing review and 7 individual papers provided enough evidence to support effectiveness of individual psychodynamic psychotherapy for people with intellectual disabilities. Research limitations/implications This research indicates individual psychodynamic psychotherapy to be of benefit. Indeed, all studies reviewed supported individual psychodynamic psychotherapy, but methodological shortcomings weakened the confidence placed in findings for some studies. Limitations of this review include methodological shortcomings of studies reviewed, a small number of existing studies and reliance on case studies. Practical implications Therapists and commissioners of services should routinely make individual psychodynamic psychotherapy available as part of a spectrum of therapies available to people with intellectual disabilities who experience emotional and behavioural problems. This is because it is needed for some clients and they benefit. Originality/value This review includes more relevant studies than previous reviews and adds to a limited number of reviews in this area.
Source: Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities - Category: Disability Source Type: research