Further still, I will discuss the differences between the theories that see the patient’s behavior as coming from patients mind alone versus the theories that see the patient as reacting to his/her environment. Lastly I will describe the concepts and give the vignette that explains how the Kohut theory works. Psychoanalytic theory Psychoanalytic theory was first developed by Sigmund Feud and refers to the dynamics of personality development (Asch. M, 2004) He had interacted so much with mentally ill patients and through a series of close examination of his patients; he came to discover that human behaviors are controlled by the unconscious desires. He also linked some childhood desires with the development of ones personality.
However the theoretical differences are more apparent. The psychodynamic approach is heavily influenced in a biological sense and focuses mainly on the unconscious. The emphasis in the therapeutic relationship is why they feel/act the way they do. Therapy assumes the problems we face as adults stems from childhood experiences. Cognitive-behavioural approach places more emphasis on techniques and strategies.
Psychodynamic counselling places a great emphasis in exploring the types of feelings and dilemmas that have caused difficulties in a person’s everyday life. Freud had several assumptions explaining the main features of the psychodynamic approach. He assumed that emotional problems have originated from childhood experiences and people are usually not conscious or aware of the true nature of such experiences. He also assumed that the use of counselling the unconscious matter may become known through a transference reaction or even dreams and fantasy (as cited in McLeod, 2008, pg. 91).
Psychodynamic Personality Theories: An Analysis Psychodynamic Personality Theories: An Analysis The psychodynamic theories of personality are a collection of theories that developed from Freud’s theory of psychoanalysis, and just as Freud’s theory, the psychodynamic theories give ample emphasis to unconscious processes, and the effects of early childhood experiences into personality formation (Hockenbury & Hockenbury, 2006). The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief analysis on the strengths and limitations of the psychodynamic theories of personality as it explains individual behavior. The following include as well the answers of how psychodynamic theories affect individual personalities, the influences of such assumptions on interpersonal relationships. Effects of Psychodynamic Theories on Personality Psychodynamic theories focus on human personalities. The psychodynamics theories of personality developed from Sigmund Freud’s thoughts and believes, which mainly focuses on human drives such as sexual and aggressive drives (C, 2006).
Sigmund Freud was the first to challenge the view that mental disorders were caused by physical illness and proposed that psychological factors were responsible for the illness. The psychodynamic approach highlights the importance of the unconscious mind and early childhood experiences. Psychodynamic psychologist’s attempt to deal with the mental health issues of their patients by incorporating these ideas and creating therapies using these ideas. The basic concept behind psychoanalysis is that a patient that suffers from mental health problems such as depression can address any regressed feelings thus, the patient gains insight of and can learn to work through their emotional baggage. It is a generalised concept that if the cause of the symptoms were tackled it would only be logical that the symptoms would then cease.
The use of psychodynamic therapy focuses on the unconscious mind, its struggles with reconciling one’s biological existence with their social existence and the affects these struggles have on a person’s psychological well being helping them to be more conscious of these struggles and how to react to them. Humanistic-existential therapy focuses on what seems to be the opposite of psychodynamic therapy in that it deals more with the conscious mind of an individual. This serves to give one the ability to express their feelings in dealing with what is currently happening in their lives. Behavior therapy is a more physical therapy in helping those with phobias or addictions often forcing them to face their fears with action. Cognitive therapy has focus more in shaping one’s beliefs and/or attitudes.
The clients’ interpretation of the pictures can possibly indicate unconscious desires, thoughts and troubles, much like with free association. Psychodynamic therapies work more effectively for different mental disorders and the effectiveness of these methods has often been questioned. For example, psychodynamic therapies are mainly only effective for neurotic disorders. For examples, the use of psychodynamic therapies to effectively treat mental illness would be with clients who have a moderate anxiety disorder, as it can give the client an understanding of what is causing their distress and anxiety issues, but non effective use for it would be using it to treat mental disorders such as schizophrenia, as
A Case Study focusing on a patient with Social Anxiety In order to meet the learning outcomes this essay will address the theory and principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and their application to mild to moderate common mental health problems, within the design of a case study. Following a discussion of the current status of CBT and review of the evidence, the essay presents a patients case from practice in regard to the application of CBT and the cognitive model to social anxiety also known as social phobia, while evaluating the processes of assessment, formulation, change mechanisms and evaluation. For the purposes of confidentiality, maintaining professional practice and in accordance with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) (2008) guidelines for good practice of CBT, the patient has been given the pseudonym ‘Jane’ and some of her personal details have also been changed, however all details regarding her presentation and interventions used remain unchanged. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) refers to the combination of cognitive therapy and behaviour modification strategies which have their foundations in the discipline of psychology. CBT it is an educational form of psychotherapy with a clear structure that focuses on current problems, using a collaborative approach encouraging patients to establish problem areas from their own point of view, in order to work towards treatment options and goal setting (Williams 2001).
The psychodynamic approach to counselling is based on the psychoanalytic theories and practice of Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), (McLeod, 2008a). Freud believed that psychosexual development led to sexual wishes and memories which would be at the root of the patient’s problems. However since then psychodynamic approaches have strayed from this and developed an approach which is more psychosocial, though they still believe that the client’s problems have origins in childhood experiences (McLeod, 2008a). A main focus of psychodynamic counselling is the belief that the majority of our mental functioning is unconscious; our unconscious contains memories, thoughts and feelings which can be irrational or the imprints and demands of our parents, the unconscious is constantly battling with the conscious, but we are unaware of it as this would be deeply uncomfortable to live with; so we deal with it by using defense mechanisms such as repression or denial. The purpose of psychodynamic counselling is to bring the unconscious into conscious awareness; this is to allow the individual to gain insight and understanding into the reasoning behind their behaviours (McLeod, 2008a).
There is Coping Skills, which has an element of 'self-verbalisation' to ourselves and the result of the way we behave. This aims to reduce and prevent stress by teaching service users such as clients suffering from schizophrenia what to say and what to do during difficult situations such as feeling angry or paranoid. Problem-Solving Skills encourage clients to identify and define their problems, generate solutions to their problems and choose the best way to act on their problems and review their progress. Cognitive Restructuring aims to focus on challenging and modifying clients’ unrealistic or negative thoughts. Finally, Structural Cognitive Therapy aims at client's beliefs, which cause problems.