Compare and contrast how the person-centred and psychodynamic models of counselling understand the person, and how these two approaches explain psychological distress experienced by individuals.
Part A
Compare and contrast how the person-centred and psychodynamic models of counselling understand the person, and how these two approaches explain psychological distress experienced by individuals. (1250 words) Within society today, there is an extensive range of theoretical approaches used by Psychotherapists and counsellors. The aim of this discussion is to compare and contrast two of these approaches, the person-centred and the psychodynamic models of counselling, especially how these theories understand the individuals and psychological distress.
In order to understand psychodynamic therapy, it is imperative to consider the work of Sigmund Freud and the development of Psychoanalytical theory. During all his life, Freud attempted to unravel the human mind creating methodical systems to discover answers relating to the unconscious and its impulses. He ignored conventional science and believed in free association (patients talking what comes to mind). Among many of his assumptions was the belief that all behaviour has a cause, and all repressed feelings and thoughts of early childhood are banished to the unconscious mind, therefore leading to future problems in adulthood, as the patient is usually unaware of true meaning of these past experiences. In this type of therapy, the analyst seeks to interpret and convey a repressed feeling in a more acceptable and sensitive manner and it can also be a very long and intensive process.
It is important to acknowledge that Freud’s theories are the result of a particular historical time and culture. Furthermore it should be noted that the Psychodynamic approach is a broad perspective and has been applied successfully throughout time and has been backed up by large number of professionals and abundant literature. Freud’s methods have been continually adapted and modified throughout time and through the work of many influential psychoanalytical professionals such as Adler (1927), Jung (1964), Klein (1926) and
Compare and contrast how the person-centred and psychodynamic models of counselling understand the person, and how these two approaches explain psychological distress experienced by individuals. (1250 words) Within society today, there is an extensive range of theoretical approaches used by Psychotherapists and counsellors. The aim of this discussion is to compare and contrast two of these approaches, the person-centred and the psychodynamic models of counselling, especially how these theories understand the individuals and psychological distress.
In order to understand psychodynamic therapy, it is imperative to consider the work of Sigmund Freud and the development of Psychoanalytical theory. During all his life, Freud attempted to unravel the human mind creating methodical systems to discover answers relating to the unconscious and its impulses. He ignored conventional science and believed in free association (patients talking what comes to mind). Among many of his assumptions was the belief that all behaviour has a cause, and all repressed feelings and thoughts of early childhood are banished to the unconscious mind, therefore leading to future problems in adulthood, as the patient is usually unaware of true meaning of these past experiences. In this type of therapy, the analyst seeks to interpret and convey a repressed feeling in a more acceptable and sensitive manner and it can also be a very long and intensive process.
It is important to acknowledge that Freud’s theories are the result of a particular historical time and culture. Furthermore it should be noted that the Psychodynamic approach is a broad perspective and has been applied successfully throughout time and has been backed up by large number of professionals and abundant literature. Freud’s methods have been continually adapted and modified throughout time and through the work of many influential psychoanalytical professionals such as Adler (1927), Jung (1964), Klein (1926) and