Hans Herrman Strupp
Encyclopedia
Hans Hermann Strupp was born in Frankfurt, Germany and died in the U.S.A. He moved from Nazi Germany
to the U.S. and he pursued a PhD in Psychology at George Washington University
in Washington, D.C. where the Department of Psychiatry granted him with a Certificate in Applied Psychiatry for Psychologists. One of the founders of this School was Harry Stack Sullivan
whose work had a large impact on Strupp’s academic career and thinking.
is considered to be pioneer because he was the first to introduce the use of actual therapy session material, such as audio and videotapes from the therapy sessions, as methodologically significant tools for testing theories of psychotherapeutic change, something that was considered to be controversial up to that time. During the studies that he followed on the practise of psychotherapy
these methods were widely used.
As a prolific scholar and researcher, he has published 16 books and over 300 papers. He was member of the American Psychological Association
and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Furthermore, he has contributed to one third to the foundation of Society for Psychotherapy Research
(SPR). From 1972 to 1973 he was the president of the Society for Psychotherapy Research
.
, focused much of his attention on the therapeutic relationship
between the therapist and patient and not on the techniques used. He noted that the attitude of the therapist toward the patient was the most significant ingredient for a successful psychotherapy; therapists who were supportive and empathetic were the most likely to have success.
His many publications include ‘Psychotherapy: Clinical, Research and theoretical issues’ (1973) and (with others) ‘Psychotherapy for better or worse’ (1977).
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
to the U.S. and he pursued a PhD in Psychology at George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
in Washington, D.C. where the Department of Psychiatry granted him with a Certificate in Applied Psychiatry for Psychologists. One of the founders of this School was Harry Stack Sullivan
Harry Stack Sullivan
Harry Stack Sullivan was a U.S. psychiatrist whose work in psychoanalysis was based on direct and verifiable observation .-Life and works:Sullivan was a child of Irish immigrants and allegedly grew up in an...
whose work had a large impact on Strupp’s academic career and thinking.
Strupp’s contributions to research in Psychotherapy
Strupp’s work in the field of psychotherapy researchPsychotherapy Research
Psychotherapy Research is a bimonthly peer-reviewed academic journal covering research in all fields of psychotherapy: outcome, process, education and training of therapists, as well as investigations of services. It is published by Routledge on behalf of the Society for Psychotherapy Research. The...
is considered to be pioneer because he was the first to introduce the use of actual therapy session material, such as audio and videotapes from the therapy sessions, as methodologically significant tools for testing theories of psychotherapeutic change, something that was considered to be controversial up to that time. During the studies that he followed on the practise of psychotherapy
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a general term referring to any form of therapeutic interaction or treatment contracted between a trained professional and a client or patient; family, couple or group...
these methods were widely used.
As a prolific scholar and researcher, he has published 16 books and over 300 papers. He was member of the American Psychological Association
American Psychological Association
The American Psychological Association is the largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United States. It is the world's largest association of psychologists with around 154,000 members including scientists, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. The APA...
and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Furthermore, he has contributed to one third to the foundation of Society for Psychotherapy Research
Society for Psychotherapy Research
The Society for Psychotherapy Research is a learned society founded in 1970. It is multidisciplinary, international association for research into psychotherapy...
(SPR). From 1972 to 1973 he was the president of the Society for Psychotherapy Research
Society for Psychotherapy Research
The Society for Psychotherapy Research is a learned society founded in 1970. It is multidisciplinary, international association for research into psychotherapy...
.
Strupp’s contributions to Psychoanalysis
His most important work was the development of Time-Limited Psychotherapy which is described in his treatment manual called ‘Psychotherapy in a New Key: Time-Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy’ (1984) which he wrote together with his colleague Jeffrey Binder. In Time-Limited Psychotherapy an integration of classical and interpersonal psychoanalytic theory is attempted, with a major result of this being the emphasis on the analysis of transference even when the external conditions, such as lesser frequency and the training of the therapist, are not those of psychoanalysis proper. Furthermore, in this manual’s theory, the psychological reality is not dichotomized into veridical and distorted, with transference defined as a distortion, but it is viewed as multiple and contributed to by both participants in the interaction.Strupp’s view on an efficient psychotherapy
Strupp, just as Carl RogersCarl Rogers
Carl Ransom Rogers was an influential American psychologist and among the founders of the humanistic approach to psychology...
, focused much of his attention on the therapeutic relationship
Therapeutic relationship
The therapeutic relationship, also called the helping alliance, the therapeutic alliance, and the working alliance, refers to the relationship between a healthcare professional and a client...
between the therapist and patient and not on the techniques used. He noted that the attitude of the therapist toward the patient was the most significant ingredient for a successful psychotherapy; therapists who were supportive and empathetic were the most likely to have success.
His many publications include ‘Psychotherapy: Clinical, Research and theoretical issues’ (1973) and (with others) ‘Psychotherapy for better or worse’ (1977).