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Psychoanalytic Theory In Counseling

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INTRODUCTION. A set of assumptions or rules on which the practice of an activity is based on is called a theory. It is also a fundamental or a basis used to account for a situation. There are several theories used in counseling practice. However, in this essay, I will only deal with the three prominent theories, which are, Psychoanalytic theory, Behavioral theory and Humanistic theory. The first part of this essay will evaluate the Psychoanalytic theory by Sigmund Freud. Psychoanalytical theory defined and evaluated the development and structure of personality. Freud believed human nature is mostly easily determinable. People were helped to gain an insight into their unconscious thoughts by making them conscious which made easy the release …show more content…

(Freud, 1949) Help is provided to the clients to enable them strengthen their EGO and protect it from being in any conflict between their ID and SUPEREGO. This theory is used to rectify the client’s character and their system of personality if found to have issues. The theory aims at making the unconscious, conscious by releasing the repressed emotions and experiences. Psychoanalytic theory also aims at helping clients work through their developmental stages not previously resolved well to solve the problem of fixation. Basic Assumptions of Psychoanalytic Theory The first basic assumption of Psychoanalytic theory is that all mental processes are not spontaneous but are caused by the unconscious or pre-existing mental complexes. It suggests that nothing happens accidently and all behaviors are due to unconscious incidences in the minds of the clients. “Another assumption of Psychoanalytic theory is Unconscious motivation. Freudian view suggested that the motivation for any behavior came from the unconscious mind. In addition, it says that typical causes of psychological problems in individuals are from trauma repressed in the unconscious or hidden unresolved issues experienced during early childhood development” (Guntrip, …show more content…

These are coping ways adopted by the EGO when it cannot deal realistically with the development of personality which occurs in different phases of a person’s development period. These stages are called the psychosexual stages of development. Techniques Used In Psychoanalytic Theory Psychoanalytic therapy contains several therapeutic techniques. These techniques are aimed at assisting create an awareness and bring an insight into the client's behavior. The first technique used is known as Free Association where the counselor invites the client to describe any thought, feeling or image that comes to mind, even if it seems painful, unimportant or irrelevant. Another technique used is known as Dream analysis where the therapist tries to correctly and accurately interpret the clients manifest and latent content of their dream so that the person’s unconscious instincts, wishes and desires are released Interpretation of resistance is also a technique used during psychoanalytic theory where the blocks encountered by clients in their free association are interpreted to get

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One of history’s well known and most influential psychologist was Sigmund Freud. He founded the study of Psychoanalysis, which is the study of the “unconscious mind”. He also did other studies such as dream interpretations and repression. However, up to this day some of Freud’s theories are controversial in our world today. Freud wrote a book called “Group Psychology & the Analysis of the Ego” where he argues and investigate group behavior is psychoanalysis.

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Psychoanalytic Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) is reflected as the forefathers of psychology and founder of psychoanalysis. Based on Freud’s theories, psychoanalytic therapy is a type of treatment that tends to observe at the background from early childhood to perceive if these situations have affected the individual’s life, or to current issues. (Counselling Directory, 2014) This therapy discovers how the unconscious mind empowers thoughts and behaviors, with the purpose of offering insight and resolution to the person seeking therapy. This form of therapy is a long-term treatment whereby it can take duration up to weeks, months or even years depending on the complexity of the patient being explored.

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There are key concepts of psychoanalytic therapy. Firstly, view of human nature (Corey, 2013, p. 58). It is fundamentally deterministic (Corey, 2013, p. 58). Instincts are the key to Freudian approach (Corey, 2013, p. 58).

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