Self Psych -> Neo-Freudian Psychoanalytic Therapies

4 Groups of Post + Neo-Freudian Psychoanalytic Techniques

1. Analytical Psych (Jung)

2. Ego Psych (Horney, Sullivan, Anna Freud)

3. Object Relations Theorists (Klein, Bowlby, Sullivan, Mahler)

4. Self Psych (Kohut)

Kohut

Developer of Self Psych

Focus of Self Psych

Self as the focus of development; Subjective experiences are important

Self Psych on What causes psychopathology

Ppl may experience an impaired sense of self due to a lack of nurture

What kind of approach does self psych use?

Developmental + relational approach

The Self Def

Self is formed from relationships and social interactions (especially attachments to caregivers at an early age)

3 Basic Obj Needs:

1. Need for validation + mirroring responses from others

2. Need to internalize an idealized selfobject, which provides nurturing

3. Need for a twin or alter ego, which seek mutuality in relationships

3 Basic Object Needs for the Self

1. Need for validation + mirroring responses from others

2. Need to internalize an idealized selfobject, which provides nurturing

3. Need for a twin or alter ego, which seek mutuality in relationships

Strong Self

Can manage successes + failures

Deficient Self

Frozen + fragmented

Selfobject

Intrapsychic experiences of others, our mental representations of them experienced as part of the self

The Self Def

Empathetic Relationship b/w Parents + Kids

Consist of mirroring, idealizing, + twinship

Positive Potentials

A responsive environment; People can reach their potential when they are provided with affirmation, empathy, and mirroring; there is potential for growth and joy

Narcissism

Continuum from pathological narcissism to healthy narcissism – healthy narcissism is the goal because people find confidence and self-worth

Counseling in Self Psych involves what?

Subjective experiences + meanings

What do therapists aim to do?

Enter + understand clients’ world

Topics addressed by therapists in self psych

• Self

• Symptoms

• Deficits

• Conflicts

• Relational/behav difficulties

Overall Goal of Self Psych

To help clients dev a healthy + cohesive sense of self

Empathy

Core component of all therapeutic interactions bc it is the main need for a healthy self

Main Need for a Healthy Self

Empathy

Focus of Counseling in Self Psych

Focus is on the present moment - past experiences have an impact but a focus on the here + now is the target to resolve conflict

Interpretation Def

Most important technique; Therapists gain a deep understanding before interpreting → the goal is to help clients understand their current self + to dev a healthier self

Goal of Interpretation

The goal is to help clients understand their current self + to dev a healthier self

Vicarious Introspection

Empathy - nurturing, active listening, + acceptance → leads to transference

What leads to transference?

Vicarious Introspection

Transference

Client projects onto the therapist

What did self psych contribute to?

To the understanding of self; Personality disorders, narcissism, relationships

Value of clients’ subj experiences, resilience + early attachments

Guilt Man

Trapped in intrapsychic conflict between id drives and superego constraints; What traditional psychoanalysis focuses on

Tragic Man

Whose failures overshadow goals due to an unempathic environment, but who retains growth potential

Optimal Frustration

Mild, age-appropriate disruptions in parental empathy that spur the child to internalize coping and build a cohesive self

Experience-Near

Focuses on present subjective feelings

Experience-Far

Abstract constructs like id/ego/superego