Psycho-Dynamic Therapy

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that psycho-dynamic therapy has its roots in psychoanalytic theory; however, psycho-dynamic therapy differs from classical psychoanalysis. The author points out that psycho-dynamic therapy is shorter, need not include all analytic techniques, is not conducted by psycho-analytically trained analysts and the therapist is much more actively and openly responsive to the client. The paper relates that contemporary object relations theory distinguishes between psychoanalytic theories, which are drive theories that emphasize biological drives such as sexuality and aggression, and relational theories, which emphasize human relationships.

From the Paper:

"The approach of the therapeutic situation depends very much on the theoretical perspective of the analyst. The psychodynamic schools value still the contemporary importance of Freud's original concepts, including the unconscious, id, ego, transference, resistance, free association, and Oedipus complex. Some theorists and analysts described as neo-Freudians retained many of the concepts described by Freud. Among these are the "ego psychology" school pioneered by Anna Freud. The "object relations" school emphasizes the importance of relationships between mother and child in early childhood, the school includes a number of theorists, such as Melanie Klein, Donald Winicott, and John Bowlby."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Fonagy, P.(1999) Relation of Theory and Practice in Psychodynamic Therapy, Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, Vol. 28, No. 4, Pages 513-520
• Fonagy P., Target M. (2000) The place of psychodynamic theory in developmental psychopathology, Development and Psychopathology, 12: 407-425, Cambridge University Press
• Mitchell S. A. (1997), Influence and Autonomy in Psychoanalysis, pp. 203-230 The Analytic Press.
• Mitchell, S. A and Black M. J. (1995) Freud and beyond - A history of Modern Psychoanalytic Thought, Basic Books, New York
• Holmes, P., Karp, M., (edts) (1991): Psychodrama: Inspiration and Technique, Tavistock/Routledge, London, New York

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