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A Critical Analysis Of A Psychodynamic Role-Play

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Critical Analysis of a Psychodynamic Role-Play The following is a critical analysis of a recorded counseling session taking a psychodynamic therapy (PDT) approach with the client, Jasmin, who struggles to control her anger and experiences outbursts that negatively impact her interpersonal relationships. Jasmin seeks the professional support of Dr. Todd, who uses PDT techniques to help her work through her problem. PDT is based on psychoanalytic concepts developed by Freud, Jung and Adler, who believed that the root of one's problems lies within the unconscious. PDT aims to empower clients with tools to better understand themselves, manage themselves independently and ultimately lead to a more fulfilling life. This essay will apply psychodynamic …show more content…

Clients are encouraged to say whatever comes to mind without self-censorship, in a "stream of consciousness" with immediacy, and without fear of judgment from the therapist (CITE). The technique involves the therapist pulling key words or themes from the session and taking notes of the client's spoken and unspoken responses in search of hidden meanings or sources of conflict. Through free association, the therapist can pinpoint objects that have not explicitly been raised or considered significant by the client. The therapist observes the client's projections in search of patterns, links, and sources of trauma or anxiety, and interprets them as links to emotions and experiences. Pauses, resistance, deliberation, or "slips of the tongue" during the exercise are also carefully considered and interpreted accordingly (CITE). The application of free association has been linked to successful deconstruction and reconstruction of the subject's processes and the reshaping of implicit …show more content…

Dr Todd is an educated, employed white male with power dynamics over Jasmin, a female person of colour with no job, and harbours anger towards those who can pursue their dreams. The difference in their lives may affect Dr Todd's ability to interpret and empathize with Jasmin, and Jasmin may see Dr Todd as the embodiment of what angers her about the world. Addressing transference and countertransference early on can help prevent it from impeding the progress of future sessions, and deepen exploration into the client's

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