Theories of Counseling:
Psychodynamic Counseling
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Psychodynamic Counseling
Frame of Reference
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It is often presented as a “historical” approach.
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It has practical application for today.
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Influenced by the work of Sigmund Freud, out of which came many other
prominent theories and therapies.
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Psychodynamic Counseling
Basic Constructs
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The associative process allows one to access unconscious material.
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Present mental functions can be explained by earlier experiences.
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Psychic continuity is a lifelong process.
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Mental life has meaning.
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Nothing is accidental.
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Instinct drives motivation.
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Psychodynamic Counseling
Basic Constructs and Concepts
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Id, Ego, and Superego: The three parts of the personality.
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Ego Defense Mechanisms: Used by the ego to reduce anxiety associated
with threatening situations or feelings.
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Developmental stages (oral, anal, phallic, latency and genital).
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Psychodynamic Counseling
Basic Constructs and Concepts
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The Pleasure Principle: The drive within us to reduce tension and seek
pleasure.
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Instincts: Organic motivational forces, also called drives. There are two
types of instincts: life (libido) and death (thanatos).
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Identification: One form of identification is the incorporation of the qualities
of another person into one’s own personality. There are four types of
identification: Narcissistic, goal-oriented, object-loss, and authority.
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Psychodynamic Counseling
Basic Constructs and Concepts
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Displacement: The process whereby psychic energy from the instincts
can be rechanneled from one object to another.
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Transference/countertransference: Transference is when the client’s
feelings are directed toward the therapist as though the therapist were the
source of the feelings instead of someone from the client’s past.
Countertransference is when the therapists feelings are placed on the
client.
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Free Association: When a client states whatever enters his or her mind
without censure.
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Psychodynamic Counseling
Theory of Personality
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Determinism: Mental events are not accidental or random but are related
to earlier events.
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Topography: All mental elements are judged according to accessibility to
consciousness.
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Dynamic Viewpoint: Libidinal and aggressive impulses are biologically
based on drives.
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Genetic Viewpoint: Conflict, character traits, neurotic symptoms and
psychological structures are related to childhood events, wishes and
fantasies.
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Psychodynamic Counseling
Object Relations Theory
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Examines the relationship between and among people.
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Examines how the history of interpersonal relationships are transferred
from the past to the present through behavior.
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Looks at the primary caregiver (this is culturally defined and might be the
mother, father, grandparents, extended family or community.)
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Psychodynamic Counseling
John Bowlby
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Stresses the importance of the child developing in relation to context and
environment.
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Provided theory of attachment.
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The child impacts the environment and the environment impacts the child.
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Attachment styles: Secure, anxious/resistant, anxious/avoidant.
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Securely attached children are able to successfully separate and
individuate.
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Psychodynamic Counseling
Psychodynamic Worldview
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Believes that the unconscious plays a role in both human development
and psychological problems.
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Client developmental history is an important consideration in
understanding the individual.
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The people and relationships we have had are Important in our history
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Psychodynamic Counseling
Psychodynamic Worldview
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We are unaware of our biological needs, past development of human
relationships and cultural influences and how those impact our present
behavior.
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We constantly act out our developmental history and our unconscious
biological drives.
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Counseling is aimed at helping the individual discover past influences on
their present lives.
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Psychodynamic Counseling
Multicultural Issues and Psychodynamic Counseling
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It has received a lot of criticism from women and minority groups because
it tends to be seen as male and elitist.
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Its beginning had sexist concepts such as “penis envy.”
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Historically, patriarchy, domination and lengthy treatment hold to
oppressive views and patronage by only the wealthy.
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Insight is not a highly valued concept in many cultures or lower
socioeconomic statuses.
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Psychodynamic Counseling
Multicultural Issues and Psychodynamic Counseling
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Might be used to help women and minority groups learn how to present
their concerns as related to past histories of oppression and domination.
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Insight might be used with some clients to fuel new actions and behaviors
and the concept of self within a social and cultural context.
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Multicultural factors could be used in free association and the insight
process.
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Psychodynamic Counseling
Limitations
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Might be tempting to do too much analysis and not enough working
toward change.
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Amateurs apply it too readily without serious study.
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Transference and countertransference can be hard to deal with without
training and awareness.
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Resources
Ivey, A. E., D’Andrea, M., Ivey, M. B. and Morgan, L. S. (2002). Theories of counseling
and psychotherapy: A multicultural perspective, 5th ed. Boston, MA.: Allyn &
Bacon.
James, R. K. & Gilliland, B. E. (2003). Theories and strategies in counseling and
psychotherapy, 5th ed. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Kottler, J. A. (2002). Theories in counseling and therapy: An experiential approach.
Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
“Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”