Overview of Psychotherapy and Psychoanalytic Theory

Psychotherapy

Systematic process to overcome psychological difficulties.

Global therapies

Address general personality features causing problems.

Problem focused therapies

Target specific symptoms and complaints.

Psychodynamic therapy

Focuses on unconscious processes and childhood experiences.

Humanistic therapy

Emphasizes personal growth and self-actualization.

Existential therapy

Explores meaning and individual existence.

Client centered therapy

Therapist provides unconditional positive regard.

Gestalt therapy

Focuses on awareness and present experiences.

Behavioural therapies

Modify harmful behaviors through conditioning.

Cognitive therapies

Change negative thought patterns.

Biological therapies

Utilize medical interventions for psychological issues.

Integration of psychotherapy

Combines multiple therapeutic approaches for effectiveness.

Eclectic approach

Mixes techniques from various therapies.

Sigmund Freud

Originator of psychoanalysis and personality theory.

Deterministic view

Behavior influenced by unconscious and biological drives.

Psychosexual stages

Key phases in early childhood development.

Libido

Energy of life instincts, originally sexual.

Life instincts

Drives for survival, growth, and creativity.

Death instincts

Aggressive drives leading to self-destructive behavior.

Id

Raw, instinctual part of personality at birth.

Ego

Rational part balancing desires and reality.

Superego

Moral conscience and societal standards.

Pleasure principle

Id's drive to maximize pleasure and minimize pain.

Reality principle

Ego's strategy to satisfy id's desires realistically.

Aggressive drive

Instinctual urge to harm oneself or others.

Therapeutic techniques

Methods used to facilitate psychological healing.

Counseling techniques

Specific strategies employed in therapy sessions.

Superego

Represents conscience, distinguishing right from wrong.

Consciousness

Thin slice of total mind, metaphorically the iceberg's tip.

Unconscious

Stores repressed experiences, memories, and motivations.

Psychoanalytic therapy

Aims to make unconscious motives conscious.

Neurotic symptoms

Rooted in unconscious processes affecting behavior.

Anxiety

Feeling of dread from repressed emotions and memories.

Reality anxiety

Fear of danger from the external world.

Neurotic anxiety

Fear of instincts causing punishment.

Moral anxiety

Fear of one's own conscience and guilt.

Ego

Mediator between id, superego, and reality.

Ego defence mechanisms

Coping strategies to manage anxiety indirectly.

Transference distortions

Client's projection of feelings onto the therapist.

Free-association technique

Method to reveal unconscious thoughts and feelings.

Projective techniques

Assess personality through interpretation of ambiguous stimuli.

Symbolic content

Underlying meanings in psychotic symptoms and dreams.

Dream analysis

Interpreting dreams to uncover unconscious needs.

Slips of the tongue

Unintentional errors revealing unconscious thoughts.

Posthypnotic suggestions

Instructions given during hypnosis affecting behavior later.

Development of Personality

Early stages shape personality and emotional health.

Love and trust

Foundational aspects of early personal development.

Negative feelings

Must be dealt with for healthy personality growth.

Acceptance of sexuality

Crucial for balanced personality development.

Conflict among id, ego, superego

Source of internal tension and anxiety.

Adaptive value

Defence mechanisms can be beneficial if not excessive.

Intellectual insight

Understanding alone is insufficient for symptom resolution.

Healthy functioning

Requires confronting repressed material and old patterns.

Fixation

Stagnation at a developmental stage due to unmet needs.

Adaptive Functioning

Ability to adjust behaviors and thoughts effectively.

Unconscious Material

Thoughts and memories not accessible to awareness.

Transference

Projection of feelings from past relationships onto therapist.

Blank-Screen Approach

Therapist's neutrality to foster client projection.

Self-Awareness

Understanding one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Resistance

Client's reluctance to discuss certain topics.

Interpretation

Therapist's insights to uncover unconscious material.

Counter-Transference

Therapist's emotional reactions to client projections.

Psychoanalytic Techniques

Methods to explore unconscious thoughts and feelings.

Childhood Experiences

Past events influencing current psychological functioning.

Personality Restructuring

Modifying character traits through therapeutic intervention.

Supportive Interventions

Therapist's empathy and reassurance during therapy.

Dream Analysis

Interpreting dreams to uncover unconscious desires.

Free Association

Client speaks freely to reveal unconscious thoughts.

Psychological Immaturity

Behaviors reflecting unresolved developmental conflicts.

Ego Strengthening

Enhancing the ego to improve reality-based behavior.

Therapeutic Process

Journey to increase self-understanding and symptom relief.

Gaps in Stories

Inconsistencies indicating deeper psychological issues.

Puzzle Metaphor

Therapeutic process likened to assembling a puzzle.

Empathy

Understanding and sharing the feelings of another.

Anxiety Management

Dealing with fears in a realistic manner.

Impulsive Behavior Control

Regulating actions driven by instinctual urges.

Meaningful Interpretations

Timely insights that facilitate client understanding.

Therapist Self-Disclosure

Therapist sharing personal experiences appropriately.

Practical Concerns Focus

Addressing immediate issues rather than fantasies.

Modification of Personality

Significant changes in character through therapy.

Childhood Fixation

Behavioral patterns stemming from unresolved childhood issues.

Catharsis

Emotional release from repressed feelings.

Insight

Understanding unconscious material for personal growth.

Analytic Framework

Structure guiding psychoanalytic therapy sessions.

Free Association

Clients express thoughts without censorship.

Resistance

Client's avoidance of discussing painful topics.

Interpretation

Analyst explains meanings behind client's behaviors.

Therapeutic Alliance

Collaborative relationship between therapist and client.

Ego

Part of personality managing reality and desires.

Unconscious Material

Thoughts and feelings not accessible to awareness.

Regularity of Meetings

Consistency in session scheduling for therapy effectiveness.

Neutrality

Therapist's impartial stance during therapy sessions.

Objectivity

Therapist's unbiased perspective on client issues.

Boundary Issues

Limits set to maintain therapeutic relationship.

Censorship

Suppressing thoughts deemed unacceptable during therapy.

Past Experiences

Previous events influencing current psychological state.

Repressed Material

Thoughts and feelings pushed out of consciousness.

Hidden Meaning

Underlying significance behind client's spoken words.

Therapeutic Factors

Elements contributing to successful therapy outcomes.

Emotional Understanding

Comprehension of feelings affecting behavior and thoughts.