Psychodynamic Psychotherapies and Other Therapeutic Approaches

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to psychodynamic and other therapeutic approaches discussed in the lecture.

Freudian Psychoanalysis

A psychodynamic therapy that views current psychological problems as resulting from unconscious unresolved conflicts from childhood.

Id

The aspect of personality that operates according to the pleasure principle and seeks immediate gratification of instinctual needs.

Ego

The aspect of personality that develops at about six months of age and operates according to the reality principle.

Superego

The last aspect of personality to develop, representing the internalization of society’s values and acting as the conscience.

Defense Mechanisms

Unconscious strategies used by the ego to resolve conflicts between the id and superego, including repression, denial, and projection.

Repression

A defense mechanism involving the involuntary keeping of undesirable thoughts and urges out of conscious awareness.

Catharsis

The experience of repressed emotions in therapy as a result of repeated interpretations.

Jung’s Analytical Psychology

A psychodynamic approach that emphasizes the collective unconscious and archetypes as influencing behavior.

Collective Unconscious

A repository of memories shared by all people, containing archetypes and universal symbols.

Person-Centered Therapy

A therapeutic approach emphasizing the innate drive toward self-actualization, characterized by empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence.

Gestalt Therapy

A humanistic therapy that focuses on awareness of current thoughts and feelings to facilitate change and resolve boundary disturbances.

Existential Therapy

Therapy derived from existential philosophy emphasizing personal responsibility and confronting existential anxieties.

Reality Therapy

A form of therapy based on choice theory, which focuses on helping individuals fulfill their innate needs responsibly.

Positive Psychology

A branch of psychology focused on subjective well-being, positive emotions, and the development of strengths rather than pathology.

Multicultural Competence

The ability of a therapist to understand and effectively work with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Therapeutic Alliance

The collaborative relationship between therapist and client, critical for effective psychotherapy outcomes.

Brief Psychodynamic Therapy

A time-limited version of psychodynamic therapy that focuses on resolving specific psychological issues.

Family Systems Theory

A theoretical framework that views families as complex systems of interrelated individuals who influence one another.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A form of psychotherapy that aims to change maladaptive thought patterns that contribute to psychological disturbances.