Psychodynamic and cognitive mechanisms of change in adult therapy: A pilot study

To examine the effects of the patient-level mechanisms of change postulated by cognitive-behavioral theory and psychodynamic theory, thirty-three patients in eclectic therapy completed questionnaires at two time points. Decreases in automatic thoughts and immature defenses were each associated with lower symptoms, and were correlated with one another at the level of a trend. The theorized patient mechanisms of cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy are independently active in eclectic therapy. Implications for research and clinical practice are discussed.