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Sigmund Freud's Psychodynamic Theory In Social Work

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In the past social worker focused on the use of psychodynamic theory in social work practice, but now it is said that this theory is no longer relevant to social work practice. Sigmund Freud psychodynamic theory looks at how human behavior and relationships are shaped by conscious and unconscious influences. For Freud, psychodynamic theory included psychoanalysis that was used a treatment to reveal the unconscious activity of an individual by making them consciously aware of it. Further, he believed that he could help people release bottled up emotions and negative experiences that could be the cause of anxiety and depression. Social construction that occurs because of a revolt effectively alters society as a whole is social worker relevancy …show more content…

The psychodynamic approach in social work is still relevant and is important for its humanizing qualities, for understanding and working with people with severe problems and for, perhaps, helping us to locate the position of social work as it relates to the mental health professions. According to Deal (2007), “Current trends in psychodynamic theory include a vibrant interest in theory development, including cultural considerations, an emphasis on a relational paradigm, and increasing support for research, all of which have implications for social work"(pg 192). Social workers employ the theory of psychodynamic when dealing with a client who has suffered past trauma or abuse and are better able to facilitate healing by placing attention on a client’s ego defense mechanisms to protect individuals from becoming overwhelmed by impulses and threats. Social work practice primary focus in psychodynamic theory are utilized to analyze emotions that play a key role in human behavior and concerned with how these internal needs, drives, and emotions motivate human behavior. It assumes that both conscious and unconscious mental activity motivate human behavior, and that internalized experiences. Social work theories are general explanations that are supported by evidence obtained through the scientific method. A psychodynamic theory may explain human behavior, by describing how humans interact or how humans react to certain stimuli. Social work practice models describe how social workers can implement psychodynamic theories. While a psychodynamic theory explains the conscious and unconscious thoughts of human beings behaviors, a social worker can use the theory to create change. Psychodynamic theory can be relevancy to social workers to assist in identifying concepts, such as the role of drives in human motivation, stages of psychosexual development, and ego defense mechanisms

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