Psychoanalytic and Humanistic Approach to therapy

1. Psychoanalytic and Humanistic Approach to therapy

2. Developed by Sigmund Freud • First formal method of psychotherapy used in Western Countries • Used to be popular (not any more) Psychoanalytic Approach

3. Psychoanalysts attempt to reduce stress and guilt by helping clients become aware of unconscious thoughts and feelings that are the root of their problems. • They call this self-awareness “insight” • Once they have insight clients can begin to resolve their problems. Psychoanalytic Approach

4. Write down the first word that comes to mind when you see the following words! • Shortstop • Panthers • Psychology • Desk • Ring Activity

5. Primary technique of psychoanalysis. • Ask clients to relax and say whatever comes to mind. • Developed from use of hypnosis but allows client to participate more actively. • Topics usually range from memories to dreams to recent events. • Thought process is that if the client talks freely and long enough their unconscious problems will eventually break though. Free association

6. Resistance occurs when a client is hesitant to discuss issues raised during the free association process. • Usually this is seen when a client makes a joke about a serious topic. • This is seen as a defense mechanism • The goal of free association is to get the client to express troubling issues in a safe environment where they may explore their thoughts an feelings. Free association

7. Freud believed dreams expressed the unconscious minds thoughts and feelings. • Dream analysis allowed psychoanalysts to interpret the unconscious thoughts and feelings. Dream analysis

8. Manifest content refers to the actual content of a dream as it is remembered by the client. • Latent content refers to the hidden meaning of the dream. • EX. A client may dream of falling off a mountain with nothing to break his fall (manifest). The therapist might interpret that as the client has repressed feeling of his life being out of his control. (latent) Manifest v. Latent content

9. Process where a clients view of their relationship with their psychotherapist changes. • Often they being have similar feelings towards their therapist as they did their parents and begin expecting the psychoanalyst to behave as their parents did. • They are transferring their feelings of another person to the psychotherapist. • Psychotherapists make use of transference to help the client express unconscious feelings they have/had toward that person. Transference

10. Many psychologists now believe Freud placed too much emphasis on sexual or aggressive urges. • Psychoanalysis has proven to be highly useful in the treatment of anxiety, mild depression, and social issues. • It fails to be effective in the treatment of major depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. • Often this type of psychotherapy requires its clients to come to session 4-5 times per week. • The cost can often be too high for some people in both time and money. Evaluation

11. Primary goal is to help individuals reach full potential. • Method assumes most people are basically good and have a natural tendency to strive for self-actualization. Humanistic Approach

12. Developed in 1950s by Carl Rogers. • Psychological problems arise when people stop being true to themselves. • Clients are urged to take lead in therapy sessions. (openly talk) • This method is called nondirective therapy and the therapists role is to mirror the thoughts and emotions portrayed by the client in order to let the client see themselves more clearly. Person-centered therapy

13. Active listening – listener repeats, rephrases and asks for clarification of the statements made by the speaker. • Unconditional Positive Regard – therapist remains nonjudgmental, accepting and supportive, regardless of what the client says. Techniques of P-C Therapy

14. Often used by school and college counselors!! • Not only helps students deal with anxiety but also helps them make decisions for their future. • Counselors try to provide a supportive, nonjudgmental atmosphere where students feel free to explore options. P-c Therapy

15. Several studies have shown that nearly 3/4th of people who received Person Centered Therapy showed greater well-being on average than those who did not. • Like Psychoanalysis this type seems to help people who are motivated. • Humanistic therapy works best for people with anxiety, mild depression or social problems. • Does not work well for people with major depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Evaluation