Methods of Therapy: Psychoanalysis & Humanistic Therapy AP Psychology

Psychoanalytic Therapy

Classic Psychoanalysis Freud developed methods in medical work with “hysteria” (conversion disorder) patients Initially tried hypnosis – not very successful Came to focus on unconscious and conflicts raging within it Gain insight to unconscious thoughts/emotions Interpret and work through ways it motivates maladaptive thoughts/behavior May take 3-5 sessions per week over several years

Classic Psychoanalysis Methods: Eventually asked patients to lie on couch and report whatever thoughts, memories, or images came to mind (free association) Resistance – when block sensitive material from free association therapist needs to explore “Freudian slips” Latent content of dreams – wishes, impulses, fantasies kept out of consciousness while awake by defense mechanisms Transference – patients express dependence, hostility, even love toward therapist seen as unconscious process of transferring childhood feelings/conflicts analysis of this provides insight

Example of Psychoanalysis

Contemporary Psychodynamic Therapy Very few Freudian psychoanalysts left Forms of “short-term psychodynamic therapy” more common now Interpersonal therapy, Object relations therapy, etc. May involve less time and money, meet face-to-face, de-emphasize the past & id, stress social/interpersonal relationships Still focus on unconscious and conscious, internal conflicts, and transference analysis

Humanistic Therapy

Humanistic Therapy People are capable of consciously controlling own actions, taking responsibility for decisions Behavior is motivated by drive for personal growth/improvement, guided by way they perceive their world Disorder comes from blocked growth due to distorted perceptions or lack of awareness of feelings

Humanistic Therapy Assumptions: Treatment is an encounter between equals (not “cure” by “expert”) Clients improve on own given right conditions (conditions promote awareness, acceptance, emotional expression) Ideal conditions established by feeling fully accepted/supported as human beings Clients remain responsible for choosing how they think/behave

Client-Centered Therapy (aka Person-Centered Therapy) Developed by Carl Rogers Allows client to decide what to talk about without direction (non-directive therapy), judgment, or interpretation Less popular model today, but still influences therapy

Client-Centered Therapy Attitudes of therapist: Unconditional Positive Regard (Acceptance) Convey caring/value for client as a person, no matter what Help overcome “conditions of worth” Listen without interrupting, making judgments, or offering advice Empathy Attempt to understand how world looks from client’s point of view (need not approve of everything) “active listening” “reflection” – paraphrase client’s statements and note feelings Genuineness (Congruence) A consistency between way therapists feel and way they act toward clients Shows relationships can be built on openness/honesty

Client-Centered Therapy