Psychoanalysis Through The Lenses Of Safran, And

Psychoanalysis

Key psychoanalytic assumptions about how psychopathology develops, model of mind, mechanisms of change, and research support within a cultural context were explored through the lenses of Safran (2012), Shedler (2010), Fonagy (2000), Westen (1998), and Levinson (2006).” Psychoanalysis gained its reputation through Freud, when he started using it to treat clients that presented symptoms that other physicians thought was untreatable (Safran, 2012, p.9). An important foundation for Freud’s theoretical ideas can be found in the German neurology, which based on the belief that all psychological phenomena could be understood in a neurophysiologic and mechanistic terms (Safran, 2012). During the early stages of psychoanalysis, the

According to Fonagy (2000), it is to “(1) To establish an attachment relationship with the patient; (2) to use this to create an interpersonal context where understanding of mental states becomes a focus; and (3) to create situations (mostly implicitly) where the self is recognized as intentional and real by the therapist, and this recognition is clearly perceived by the patient” (p.1142). In addition to Fonagy’s, some other mechanisms of change are transference, therapeutic alliance and therapeutic

Many psychoanalysts understand that research is essential to the survival of the orientation. Most psychoanalysts have not received formal postgraduate psychoanalytic training (Safran,2012). One rationale for this is because it seems as though there is a conflict of time. It can be difficult to engage in time consuming activities while going through postgraduate psychoanalytic training. Another rationale for the lack of research is the funding. There is already a bias against psychoanalysis in the clinical realm, but there is also bias against psychotherapy due to fields such as neurology. This makes it even harder for psychoanalysts to be engaged in research. Regardless of the past, research must continue to be present in order for the survival of the orientation. The gold standard for research is using randomized clinical trials in traditional sciences. Using randomized clinical trial, increases the chances if the results being generalized meaning that it can apply to more than just one particular group, to please private and government insurance (Safran, 2012). Although the randomized clinical trials are considered the gold method, for clinical research mixed methods are more