This enables the client to have greater control over their emotions and reduce the likelihood of their symptoms. Psychoanalysis helps treat behaviours that are controlled by our unconscious, therefore showing that the unconscious does govern behaviour. One technique used in psychoanalysis is free association, this involves patient being asked to talk about anything that comes to mind without censoring it, and Freud believed that the unconscious wishes and desires would eventually be revealed suggesting that we our behaviour and actions are instinctual from the unconscious. Psychoanalysis is still used in modern psychiatry therefore showing that our unconscious must play apart in our behaviour. However psychoanalysis is rarely used on its own in the treatment of mental disorders, only useful when combined with drug treatment in which the patient’s disorder is under control, therefore suggesting other factors than the unconscious mental processes must be involved showing that it is not a complete approach.
Some new development in psychoanalysis shows that shorter psychodynamic therapies provide quicker improvements and becomes more affordable. The second method of psychoanalysis is known as free association. By the use of this method, clients are encouraged to announce any random thoughts in their heads, without editing or censorship. The idea is that uncensored will reveal underlying problems or conflicts, then the analysis is able to interpret the patterns of association, by their words and behaviour - uprooting any underlying thoughts in the client. On the other hand, it may not always be easy to evaluate psychoanalysis scientifically, due the fact that some concepts, for instance insight and repression is difficult to measure.
As it focuses on conscious experiences it is able to help a person have a healthy transition from reactionary behaviours to thoughtful actions. It reflects the clients feelings back to them. Psychodynamic theory The psychodynamic approach was founded by psychologist Sigmund Freud. Psychoanalysis was the original psychodynamic theory but the psychodynamic approach as a whole is based upon theories from his ideas. These came from Jung, Erikson and Adler.
The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) was created to help measure the needs for power, intimacy, and achievement in regards to motivation. The motivational view I agree with the least is the psychoanalytic view. “The psychoanalytic view of human motivation suggests that behavior is ultimately determined by unconscious sexual and aggressive drives and by the complex intrapsychic conflicts that arise in daily life.” (Pinel, J.P.J. 2008. p. 299). Freud had some beliefs that I believe have been outdated and further researched since his time.
Behavioural Therapy is the name given to a group of Therapeutic techniques based on the principles of Classical Conditioning and Operant Conditioning. Behavioural therapies have many characteristics which distinguish them from other types of therapies, such as they are short term therapies and target the symptoms of a disorder rather than the problem or reason which created that beahviour. Also, it is the therapist who establishes the treatment plan. Systematic Desensitisation is a therapy used to treat phobic disorders, where the sufferer is aware that their phobia is excessive and interferes with their daily life. Systematic Desensitisation is based on the principle of Classical Conditioning and uses Counterconditioning.
Supporting study and corroboration of the discipline has been a main focal point for Kaplan. Kaplan not only has experience but familiarity in art psychotherapy. Kaplan devotes her time to helping people through oriented art activities as well as, helping people through emotional and cognitive deficits through art. Kaplan also suggests an art based theory rather then based on psychotherapeutic which somewhat resolves the debate involving art in therapy verses art as therapy. It is in this chapter that Kaplan reveals her knowledge of and experience with art psychotherapy, but it seems to this writer that she also reveals her ambivalence regarding her professional identity.
“Occupational Therapy in the 1930’s meant making something (Hocking 2007); Occupational Therapy today means making something of our time” (Chard 2007) A more holistic approach to patient centred care has evolved with meaningful occupation representing different things to different people. Activities of daily living also became thought of as useful tools of rehabilitation, joining the arts and crafts of the time. Evidence based practice evolved as a way of determining the success or failure of an intervention. “The difference now is the emphasis on the theory and knowledge base of occupation rather than on the individual occupations themselves”
I will conclude with additional pluses and minuses of the client centred method of treatment & whether it provides all that a therapist needs to treat clients. Psychotherapy began as psychoanalytical in nature, thereafter the behavioral model of treatment started to come into fashion. This was proceeded by the person centred therapy developed by ‘Carl Rogers’ which falls into the humanistic therapy category. Whilst this and other humanistic theories and prior methods of treatment have continued, additional methods such as Cognitive therapy have emerged along with an eclectic therapy, where more than one method is used. ‘Carl Rogers’ focused on what he believed was each person’s desire and drive for self improvement and how he believed that each person possessed a natural desire to actualize their full potential and in essence wanted to achieve being the best that they could be.
I realized how effective group therapy can be for individuals especially those that are dealing with issues that are largely stigmatized. Even if a therapist has an addiction we are not to let a client know, which is a different experience for that individual. Therapists can give expertise thought and discussion but they cannot give the individual the same acceptance that one could get from a group meeting. I think it is important to know our limitations with our work and know when to incorporate other resources. In reference to the disease model, it separates the person and the disease, that they are two different entities.
With this in mind, I ask; you could not possible have a personalised induction during group therapy or through an audible tape, group therapies are seen to be more common with individuals looking to give up smoking, lose weight or stage hypnosis, audible tapes main purpose could be for relaxation and meditation purposes so how could a therapist possibly personalise an induction if he does not know the clients likes, dislikes, background or cultural believes? So then we must take into consideration the right style to use, during a group session is it best to use direct and authoritarian techniques? A therapist could not tailor his script to each and every client in the room and expect the same results but during an individual session, this could be applied. “There is no right way to hypnosis, except whatever will work with each unique collection of each subjects needs and beliefs” (Havens R. A 2003 pg. 214).