Essay On Psychodynamic Counselling

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Psychodynamic counselling is based on the understanding that there is a correlation between the unconscious and conscious mind. With this in mind the counsellor is able to make links to the clients past which has determined their current day thought processes and behaviours. The key elements to the psychodynamic theory provides the counsellor with the tools to achieve the best positive outcome for the client. The psychodynamic theory suggests that a persons behaviour can be determined by past experiences, genetic inheritance and what is happening in the present situation. There is a strong belief that all internal experiences relate to a persons relationship with others and that gaining insight is an important goal, sometimes even more so than feelings or emotions. By examining and probing the unconscious mind, psychological conditions can be …show more content…

The alcohol being the by-product of something far deeper and psychologically imbedded in the unconscious mind. By using the psychodynamic theory as a counselling method for client A, it will allow for the unconscious mind to be stimulated, a probing for the root cause, to allow for him to gain insight into his behaviours. By arousing a deeper level of understanding from the unconscious to the conscious mind, the conflict can begin to resolve with clarity and catharsis which is a hugely important part of the therapeutic process. Catharsis is the release of emotion when insight in gained, originating from the Greek word Katharsis meaning purification or cleansing, catharsis is the emotional release linked to a need to resolve unconscious conflicts. For client A, unearthing, understanding and gaining insight into his history, his difficult interactions with his parents which have been stored unconsciously, it will enable him the clarification to move forward positively and make the necessary