Mood disorders

In November 2022, a steering group, Chaired by Prof Bruce Singh, was formed to oversee an external review of the evidence for long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy for the treatment of mood disorders. 

The Anna Freud Centre (AFC), based in the United Kingdom, was the successful applicant and commenced their review in October 2023. It is anticipated that the review will be completed in April 2024. 

FAQs: Review of evidence for long term psychodynamic psychotherapy in the treatment of mood disorders  

Why is the RANZCP undertaking a review of evidence for long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy? 

In response to feedback received by members, the RANZCP Board has established a Mood Disorders Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Evidence Review Steering Group (Steering Group) to oversee an independent review into the evidence for long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy in the treatment of mood disorders.  

The Board considers that respectful academic debate about the evidence for long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy and other psychiatric treatments is an appropriate way to contribute to psychiatrists’ education.   

If there is an evidence review ongoing, why is the 2020 mood disorders CPG still available? 

The Board considers that the process of development for the 2020 RANZCP Clinical Practice Guidelines for mood disorders (mdCPG) was such that the authors wrote the guidelines based on their interpretation of evidence, which was then externally reviewed via the journal’s peer review process. The Board remains satisfied that this process was adequate and will not make any decisions with regard to the mdCPG until the independent review into the evidence for long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy in the treatment of mood disorders has been completed.   

The purpose of a CPG is to provide general rules, principles, advice and to improve care and outcomes for individuals and the community by synthesising and analysing up-to-date evidence, and by translating research funding and new insights into clinical practice. A CPG is one of a range of resources available to guide clinical practice.   

Is long-term psychodynamic therapy still an appropriate treatment? 

The publication of the CPG does not alter the Board’s position on the use of long-term psychodynamic therapy in clinical practice. Individual dynamic psychotherapies continue to form part of the RANZCP training program. The mdCPG website provides links to further RANZCP resources relating to the treatment of mood disorders, including Position Statement Psychotherapy Conducted by Psychiatrists (July 2021). Furthermore, in Australia, the RANZCP has recently been successful in securing amendments to item number 319 under the Medicare Benefits Schedule from 1 March 2024 that will allow a broader group of patients to access intensive psychotherapy under this item number.