Psychodynamic Theory

My practice is driven by and laden with traces of the values of capacity for change and growth, the voice of the individual, and curiosity. The belief in the capacity for change and growth motivates me to sit with some clients that others consider difficult and attempt to assist them in seeing the prospect of change while maintaining a respect for their decision. The value of the voice of the individual drives me to open myself to the many possibilities that the client considers and hear things from their perspective. This value causes me to be invested in the client voicing whatever they deem necessary and working through what they voice to build the solutions they have created. The value of the voice of the individual also inspires me to

During casual conversations I have often been quoted as stating” We are all a bunch of big kids”. This comment stems from my personal belief that adults are influenced during childhood experiences and these experiences greatly impact their adulthood. To elaborate in depth regarding my personal beliefs; I will examine the psychodynamic and developmental perspectives, how they relate to my personal life and reflect on how each perspective is been used in my professional life.

Focus is on the unconscious mind and its influence over conscious behavior (such as nail biting, nervous rituals)

There are different types of help to get when experiencing stress, for example talk therapy an effective way to manage stress and anxiety. There is cognitive behavioural therapy and psychological therapy which involves a trained therapist to listen to an individual’s problem and try and solve it and relax them (Choices, 2016). There is also psychodynamic psychotherapy which helps to find solutions, such as difficulty at work and self-esteem. This therapy may also help you to deal with stress. (Barth et al., 1991) offers evidence "that people who receive psychodynamic therapy actually continue to improve after therapy ends - presumably because the understanding they gain is global”. This helps an individual learn about themselves in such a

Although there have been very little empirical research studies given from the veteran’s view regarding positive behavior change as a results of psychoanalytical theories (Lilliengren, & Werbart, 2005). Theorists continues to analyze the strengths and limitations of the founders, Freud and Jung, and have integrated their philosophical views in understanding how the concepts of the unconscious mind, and early parental relationship determine human growth development and personality (Boeree, 2006; Halbur, & Halbur, 2006; Sharf, 2008). The importance of knowing the strengths and limitations of both Freud and Jung can help the therapist understand the usefulness of the theory

1. Describe the different way of defining abnormality from the perspectives of deviance, distress, dysfunction, and danger. When one of these four features impairs a person’s ability to function within social norms, the behavior becomes viewed as a psychological abnormality. While deviant behavior is, a broad, deviant, or unusual behavior alone does not constitute abnormality.

The Psychodynamic perspective in Psychology examines the theory that our personality and mental disorders are created outside of our awareness by processes in our unconscious mind. It examines the idea that our unconscious outweighs our actual consciousness and that there is more than what we credit ourselves for and/or are potentially unconsciously blocking. One of the best known approaches of this perspective is by using psychoanalysis. This approach highlights and evaluates dreams, the slip of the tongue and free association. Free association is a theorized step in psychoanalysis where one is in a relaxed state and speaks whatever is on their mind for a period of time and then analyzed to attempt to connect the dots from experiences in our past that are unconsciously hidden by us. It could be said that this method is like tossing puzzle pieces across the floor and using each piece to another until the right jigsaw piece is found. This helps the patient understand the why and how of an issue and is left to the analyst to explain and help evolve the next steps of resolution to the newly understood information. In a sense this promoted that talking about your problems and fears would start to dissipate the mental abnormalities over time by connecting the issues of today by what has happened in the past that has created the present personality or behavior. This perspective can best be explained that the mind is an iceberg. The conscious level

Deciding what theory to conceptualize things during supervision was hard because I had a hard time reminding myself that they weren’t my clients. My theory of choice has always been CBT and as such, I have chosen the same one for supervision. At first, I felt lost and found myself not knowing what to say, which reminded me of my first couple of sessions before I had decided on my theory. I honestly didn’t know that supervisors worked from a theory I assumed that was only during therapy with clients. I remember asking one of my supervisors about this topic several years ago and she stated that she works from an eclectic perspective during supervision. However, she did have a chosen theory when working with clients. I came in with a certain mentality,

Jones and Butman (2012) in chapter four point out that contemporary psychodynamic approaches, although they originate from Freud’s view of personality development, psychodynamic view are less biological and mechanistic. Psychodynamic approaches focuses more on individuals’ cognitive and interpersonal process. Jones and Butman argue that psychodynamic approaches are divided into three views: ego Psychology, object-relations and self-psychology. These theories propose that caregivers or parents should foster both independence, and protection and nurturance so as to deter personality disturbances. The ego psychology model argues that personality development occurs across the life span. The theory suggests that the ego strives for adaptability,

At the age of eight, the influences exerted on a child can have long-lasting effects on development. This essay will explore and explain three aspects of influence using Erikson's theory and explore different ways a child can be affected thusly, firstly familial influences, sibling influences and by peer group determinants. The purpose of this essay is to connect three different aspects and how they impact development in the psychosocial domain.

Psychodynamic theory is asset of ideas that focuses on dynamic psychological and mostly unconscious processes that are constantly at work to help the individual to continually adapt and re-adapt to the environment and cope with conflict. (Malcom w. Watson 2002 page 20)

Proponents of the psychodynamic theory argue that much of human behavior is motivated by the unconscious thoughts, feelings, or hidden memories. These “inner forces” which can originate in one’s childhood, can continue to influence a person well into their adult life. Sigmund Freud, one proponent of this theory, proposed the psychoanalytic theory which generally suggests that unconscious forces within a person are responsible for their day-to-day personality and behavior. Freud’s theories, although very insightful and groundbreaking discoveries for his time, have little empirical evidence to support them. Also, his theories pertain more to male development than female so they can be considered somewhat sexist.

RAD is one of the least researched disorders in DSM and it difficult to diagnose accurately (Chaffin et al, 2006). There is also difficulty in distinguishing between consequences of maltreatment, disorganized attachment and attachment disorder (Prior & Glaser, 2006). In the United Kingdom, according to British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF), only psychiatrists can diagnose RAD and any assessment regarding RAD must include a comprehensive evaluation of child’s family history and individual history (BAAF, 2006). There are other disorders that share many symptoms with RAD and they are often co-morbid or confused by RAD, such as anxiety disorder, Post Traumatic Syndrome Disorder (PTSD), social phobia and conduct disorder

The leading theory of psychodynamic explanations on abnormality is psychologist Freud’s psychological causes and conflicts between the id, ego and superego that affect abnormality. He argues that people with a strong ego find it easy to cope and manage the id and superego whereas people with a weak ego may find difficulties in coping which can cause the id or the superego to take over their personalities. Id impulses that are abandoned result in self-damaging behaviour which can lead to abnormalities. People with big superego may be socially deprived due to the restriction of the id which according to Freud can lead to neurosis which is found in anxiety disorders namely phobias. (McLeod, 2008)

Psychodynamic Theory is based on the premise that human behaviour and relationships are shaped by conscious and unconscious influences and include factors such as internal processes, personality, motivation and drives, and the importance of childhood experiences.