Psychodynamic Theory

Overview

Psychodynamic Theory is one of the oldest theories in psychology in which patients are treated are viewed within a model of illness that attempts to identify something that may be lacking. Each individual is perceived to be made up from a dynamic that begins in early childhood and continually progresses throughout life. This way of thinking, however, is generally considered a watered-down version of the more conservative and rigid psychoanalytic school of thought. Psychoanalysis in itself emphasizes the belief that all adult problems are directly related to events in one’s childhood. Very few therapists today can afford to practice strict psychoanalysis anymore, and as a result, it is typically practiced only by psychiatrists who have spent many personal hours being analyzed themselves as well as attending psychoanalytic institute. This is more than likely the kind of therapy people imagine when they think of therapy in terms of a “shrink.”

Therapists who practice this theory have a tendency to look at individuals as the composite of their parental upbringing. Their focus is on the means for settling conflicts between themselves and their parents as well as within themselves. Psychodynamic therapists tend to believe in the theoretical constructs of the ego (which acts as a force similar to a referee) and the superego (known as the conscience) as well as an id that exists inside all of us that tends to act as a devil’s advocate working against the thought process of the conscience. All of these constructs work together to make up the personality and the role of the unconscious is emphasized meaning that contrary to what else you may think, what you don’t know can indeed hurt you and more often than not, it does just that.

The development of an adult’s personality is viewed in terms of whether he or she was able to successfully maneuver through the psychosexual stage of childhood development. Because of this belief, adults are unlikely to know how they are screwed up and as a result may not even recognize the signs of mental distress or mental disorder. Most psychotherapists tend to view adults with varying degrees of “bad.”

Mental Illness: What is it?

Mental illness is believed to be the result of an unsuccessful progression through childhood development, which in turn resulted in problems with the personality structure. Sex and aggression are emphasized as being the unconscious motives for most human behavior. In other words, in the case of a person superego is stronger than it should be and the ego is not always able to counteract its demands, the result may be a person who is a perfectionist or has compulsive-obsessive tendencies. Keep in mind that this is all unconscious just like the unresolved childhood conflicts, so the person is not even aware why they act the way they do.

The Treatment

During therapy, psychodynamic therapists tend to emphasize the importance of insight and interpretations within what is referred to as a “frame.” This “frame” is emphasized in all forms of theoretical orientation, though to a lesser degree than with psychodynamic therapies. The frame is described as being the setting and boundaries such as meeting time, place, length of each session, and other pertinent information. It is believed that if you cancel an appointment, a force greater than simply your car breaking down is at work within you. Although there may be some truth to this, it is not felt that it is to the degree that is emphasized within the psychodynamic therapy plan. The fact that the basis of psychodynamic therapy is transference makes the frame much more important than in other types of psychotherapy. The possibility exists that the patient may be engaging in some type of transference that needs analyzed by the therapist and quite possibly interpreted.

Both psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapists cam be said to be the best in interpretations and listening. As noted with the missed appointment, the fact that that the therapist was reading more into the situation than was there can be classified as an interpretation. After all, an interpretation is no more than offering a reason or explanation to the patient concerning that person’s behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. If an interpretation is properly conducted, it leads to the patient being able to understand the unconscious motivation for his former actions, reactions, feelings, or thoughts. Of course, other therapists do interpretations as well, but psychodynamic therapists perform the best interpretations.