PSYCHOANALYTIC THERAPY

Psychoanalytic Therapy



Psychoanalytic Therapy

Introduction

Psychoanalytic therapy is based upon psychoanalysis but is less intensive, with clients only attending between one and three sessions a week. Psychoanalytic therapy is often beneficial for individuals who want to understand more about themselves. It is particularly helpful for those who feel their difficulties have affected them for a long period of time and need relieving of mental and emotional distress.

Every budding student of psychology must understand the basic Freudian conceptions. This paper will look in to one of the basic Freudian theory. His development of the components of personality shows the internal conflict that we face when we make decisions. As we mature we work from work component to another, moving from purely seeking out our desires, to considering the ramifications, to doing what is right.

What I really think is most beneficial to this theory is that it has been expanded from Freud's original standpoint. The idea that personality is based largely on the first 6 yrs of life is a very bleak and narrow outlook, in my opinion. I agree more with Erickson's view that growth occurs continuously throughout life. I see Erickson's model as being more adaptive and personalized (whereas Mahler's is too generalized). People have the power to be who they want to be, thus using the stages of development to become who they want to be.

Jung's perspective also is very accurate. I agree totally that we let go of many behaviours and values we developed early on to find significance in our lives. I see this occurring within myself. My family has a strong 'party' ethic so to speak. Being raised in a chemically dependent family, a great amount of value was placed on your 'partying' behavior (who could drink the most, ect.). While I took on this value early in my teens, when I became a mother I realized the effect my values were having on my ability to act responsibly (hold a job, pay bills, and parent my child). For the sake of having a meaningful existence and feeling successful, I left that value behind to create my own (individualization).

In a therapeutic aspect, the goals that I see as most prevalent are the integration of conscious and unconscious. It is said that hindsight is 20/20, but so is insight. Aiding a client in knowing their own vises is the key to making progress on personal issues and improving quality or satisfaction in life. It is a powerful tool to know your own mind.

Some of the behaviours of the analyst I would find hard to incorporate. The lack of self-disclosure (at such a high extent) and the neutrality of the relationship would be difficult for me. While I do see transference in therapy as beneficial, I believe that having a sense of whom you are talking to (from a client perspective) would be beneficial for me and letting my client see bits of my life (analyst perspective) would also help. I would have a hard time working with an ...