Psychodynamic Approach Essay

Over the last century many therapeutic approaches have been created with ongoing research leading to further developments in learning and understanding. These approaches are mostly used to provide therapy to individuals who are experiencing some form of distress in their life. Three of the main approaches used in counselling and psychotherapy are psychoanalytic, based primarily on the work of Freud (1856 - 939), behaviourism (Pavlov 1849 – 1936) and the more recent humanistic approach (Rogers 1902 – 1987 and Maslow 1908 – 1970).
The aim of this assignment is to explain the theory behind the approaches, their similarities and differences and also to describe an integrative approach.
Psychoanalysis
Freud’s psychodynamic approach examines the
Oral – feeding and sucking
Anal – toilet training
Phallic – genital focus
Latency – social and intellectual skills
Genital – sexual interest
Therefore, a baby was born with libido (sex drive).
If an individual feels that their needs have not been fulfilled at any particular stage of psychosexual development they could feel frustrated. Alternatively the enjoyment found at a certain stage might inhibit progression through the other phases.
The psychodynamic approach also makes several assumptions and views the role of the unconscious as a fundamental concept.
• How an adult feels, behaves and deals with issues is learned and formed from childhood experiences.
• The personality is made up of the ID, ego and super-ego.
• That behaviour is motivated by Eros (the sex drive) and Thanatos (the aggressive drive).
• Personality is shaped due to conflicts experienced during childhood.
The psychodynamic approach divides the mind into three different levels based upon the view that there are unconscious inner forces, outside of normal awareness, that are directing behaviour. The three levels are the Conscious, Preconscious and
The visible part representing the conscious mind, the part just below the water level as the preconscious and the remainder that lies hidden beneath representing the unconscious mind.
Freud also separated personality into three parts - the ID, the Superego and the Ego. Freud believed that these components interact and determine personality. The ID acts as the immature component and works on the pleasure principal, disregarding everything else. It would often lead to basic thinking that is irrational and illogical. The superego considers socially acceptable behaviour and acts as the conscience, often in conflict with the ID. It is mainly formed from our childhood learning. The ego makes the decisions that determine behaviour. It evaluates the other two components whilst also considering reality.
Anxiety or disorder could arise when the ID and superego are in conflict with the ego. This conflict could create anxiety, activating the ego’s defence mechanisms – denial, displacement, projection and repression. When the ego feels threatened or unable to cope it deploys the defence mechanisms with the aim of reducing anxiety and protecting the individual. Freud believed that individual’s use defence mechanisms to try to prevent