Therapeutic progressions of client and therapist throughout a course of psychodynamic therapy with a man with mild learning disabilities and anger problems

Despite a long history of psychodynamic therapy interventions with people with learning disabilities and anger problems, there is little evidence that suggests that this approach is effective. The present case study explored 18 pychodynamic therapy sessions with an adult with mild learning disabilities and anger problems, investigating therapy outcomes and progress along a nine‐stage Malan (1979) model, as well as analysing therapeutic interactions leading to therapy progression. The patient's progression along Malan stages was explored by a thematic analysis matching therapy sessions to the Malan model. The investigation of therapeutic interactions was achieved by discourse analysis of those therapy sessions indicative of Malan‐Stage progression. The results are discussed and suggestions for future research and practice implications are made.