Theories And Theories Of Psychoanalytic Theories

In the counseling world today understanding psychodynamic approaches is more crucial than ever in the assessment and treatment of any psychological issue. Psychodynamic approaches such as Individual therapy, analytical therapy and psychoanalysis are similar in many ways but also differ based on the individuals own perception and circumstances. I will discuss the similarities as well difference’s and why these forms of therapy are critical in the assessment and treatment of clients.

The goal of Bowen’ theory is to review developmental patterns within the familial system and the stress centered around the anxiety caused by closeness or the lack thereof (Penny, 1999). Bowen’s theory works to facilitate a decline in stress and anxiety by enabling the clients with education as to how the emotional system works and focusing on how to modify self perceptional behaviors instead of working to change others within the system (Penny, 1999).

In conceptualising the development of the family system, Bowenian therapists are past-focused. They believe that emotional fusion that is passed down from one generation to the next is the cause of psychological problems (Nichols, 2010, pp 119-122). Normal family development according to Solution Focused therapist produces families with flexible structures, clear boundaries and well-organised hierarchies. This is quite similar to Bowenian’s concept of normal family development. Differentiated individuals after all need to have clear boundaries. Similarly, flexible structures and well-organised hierarchies do promote low anxiety and therefore generate positive emotional contact between family members. The difference is that instead of being past-focused, Solution Focused therapy assiduously avoids the past and focuses their clients as much as possible on the present and future. (Nichols, 2010, pp 321).

Bowen believed that all of us, therapists included, experience and must face the challenges within our “family of origin.” This is the only way a therapist can become an objective participant in therapy, thereby normalizing human behavior for those in treatment (goodtherapy.org). Bowen believed a therapist must become an objective facilitator, directing conversations between members, issue by issue. He recognized that “unfinished emotional business stays with us, making us vulnerable to repeat conflicts we never worked out with our families” (Nichols 2017, p. 20). After this important work is complete, therapists are able encourage family members to develop personal relationships with as many family members as possible rather than treating the family as one cohesive unit (Nichols 2017,

Similar to Bowen theory is Minuchin’s Structural Family Therapy where family is viewed as being a part of a larger system bigger than its self and within the family system are smaller subsystems that constitute the family as a whole. According to Vetere, (2001) a goal “of this therapy is to alter the organisational patterns, particularly where the modes of communication are thought to be unhelpful and where behaviours are considered to be abusive and neglectful or to have the potential to be so” (p. 134). The above two theories mesh well with the relational beings that we are. “The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18, New American Standard Bible) and from that utterance subsequently family was born.

Overall, Bowen focused on triadic relationships for therapeutic intervention, predominately the parental subgroup and a child. He looked at how low self-esteemed members of a family became vulnerable to triangulation. They then became enmeshed in their family and forwarded a legacy of chronic anxiety. Classic psychoanalysis agrees that issues

Bohlinger (n.d.) states, “The Bowenian therapist would work to impart three important lessons to their clients: self-determination, self-advocacy, and re-engaging with the self in relationship” (Bohlinger, n.d.). The structural therapist is interested in boundaries between the client and the others around them, as oppose to the client’s intrinsic self. (Bohlinger, n.d.). Bowenian therapists work to help clients maintain and balance relationships, unlike the experimental therapist, who confronts the client on strengths and weaknesses, in hopes that they will accept both aspects of individuality (Bohlinger, n.d). Also, Bowenian therapy is interested in “historical” processes, instead of historical emotions and problems (Bohlinger, n.d.). An interesting aspect of Bowenian therapy is the lack of termination. Bowen believed differentiation is an ongoing process, unlike majority of family therapies (Walsh, Harrigan, 2003, p.

This paper will summarize the theory of family systems developed by Murray Bowen. It will describe the eight key components to Bowenian therapy and the techniques used during practice. Strengths and limitations will be exposed, followed by a summary of the importance of integration between psychology and family systems theory.

In the system of family therapy Dr Murray Bowen developed a new approach to family therapy that was different from other family theorist because it emphasized on the family’s emotional system and its history that may be traced through the family dynamics of the parents, and grandparents. His approach looks at human emotions and the patterns that are commonly developed and similar in all family systems.

The psychodynamic perspective focuses on the role of the unconscious mind in the development of personality. Freud believed that the personality develops in a series of five stages that develop the three divisions of personality. In the oral stage, the fixation is in the mouth, and would be the cause of his introverted nature; likewise, in the anal stage, Roberto would discover his reserved nature, while the phallic stage, he would further refine his reserved nature as a sense of humility in his actions, also defining his mild mannered portion of his personality. In the latency stage, his social skills would refined and he would become introverted. Freud would think that Roberto’s mild-mannered, reserved, and invertedness is caused by intense suppressing of the id by the ego, having Roberto adopt the personality that he does; however, Karen Horney would classify Roberto’s personality in respect to her theory of neurotic personalities- personalities typified by maladaptive ways of dealing with relationships- with moving away from people by withdrawing from personal relationships.

Human beings are unique and individual in one way or another with different personality theories. Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, and Alfred Alder psychoanalytic theories about the human mind were very similar and different at the same time. To this day, attempts to prove the theories of these men are still taking place. All three of these men agreed that human behavior, as an adult, was a direct result of the individual's childhood experiences that would paint a lasting impression on the world around them. Freud, Jung, and Adler believed parenting and childhood development was the significant impact for shaping the personality. Dreaming and daydreaming played a major role in shaping character as well.

It is inevitable that in psychotherapy there are numerous theories. Theories arise out of scholarly investigations of ideas on human behavior. Human behavior is an extraordinarily interesting subject and therefore produces a plethora of ideas from a variety of theorists. These theorists are influenced by their education, culture, and time period. One influential theorist is Carl Rogers. His contributions to human behavior have changed many of the theories that preceded him, and his theory contributed to many theories that followed.

In doing my studies on family/systemic counselling, I found Bowen’s theory intriguing. In my work and everyday life, I witness triangulation on a daily basis, from my own experience, without the awareness from this module, I was often entwined in triangulation. As a trainee therapist I decided to write my paper on Bowenian Therapy in order to gain a better understanding and develop my awareness.

I choose Psychoanalytic Therapy as my primary theory. I agree with Sigmund Freud’s hypothesis on the power of the unconscious in influencing how we think, feel and behave. Our dreams are powerful tools in assisting people to recognize their internal conflicts, central struggles, wants, dreams and goals for the future. He also recognizes the power of the past and early traumatic childhood experiences in preventing people from living full, healthy well-adjusted lives. I also agree with Erickson’s psychosocial theory in that people still develop socially throughout their lives and that there are certain events that should be resolved within each stage of life. I agree with Alfred Adler as well. He believed that personality difficulties are

In the field of Psychology, there are many theories and techniques that can be utilized. Some counselors might choose to use one or more of these theories and techniques, but some will choose to use only one. After learning about the different theories and techniques, I have chosen the Psychoanalytic Theory as my personal theoretical orientation. The reason I chose Psychoanalysis is because I feel that it best suits me. What seems to be most intriguing to me about Psychoanalysis is that its main focus is on your conscious and unconscious mind. I enjoy using techniques in order to find out what information lies within your conscious and unconscious and for this reason, I feel Psychoanalysis best fits my personality.