Week 1

Week 1
1.1
What makes a theory psychodynamic? Discuss the general aspects of psychodynamic theory
and relate it to one of the schools/models of psychodynamic psychotherapy and its counselling
work with clients.
A psychodynamic theory is built from understanding and viewing human behaviour of
unconscious thoughts and actions, this includes the evolution of an individual’s human
development (Safron, Kriss & Foley, 2019). All psychodynamic theory’s follow the same
approach of maintain a close understanding of human development and the psychological
functions (Safron, Kriss & Foley, 2019). It is important to note that there are no theory’s that
behold more of a psychodynamic theoretical function versus others.
For example, a Kleinian theory called splitting is a psychodynamic theory that is based off
human development and psychodynamic actions. In Kleinian theory, splitting refers to a
defense mechanism in which a person unconsciously divides their internal representations to
themselves and to other people dividing them into good and bad parts, leading to intense
emotional reactions and difficulties in forming stable relationships (Etherington, 2020). In. a
therapeutic relationship this may look like the client being angry towards the therapist –
unconsciously not wanted to unresolve where the anger is coming from, has more anger.
How does the Kleinian theory of splitting inform our understanding of the impact of stable
relationship and the difficulties individuals may face after them, unconsciously?
References
Etherington, L. E. (2020). Melanie Klein and object relations theory. Melanie Klein and Object
Relations Theory - Simply Psychology. Retrieved February 6, 2023, from
https://www.simplypsychology.org/Melanie-Klein.html
Hilsenroth, M. & Pittman, S. (2019). Working with Cyclical Relational Patterns in Contemporary

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. In Kealy, D. & Ogrodniczuk, J. (Eds.), Contemporary
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. pp. 19-31. Academic Press, 2019. (available in
library). https://discovery.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=84b5ad2a-7b3e-39bb-
8db5-d0cf621c3fad
Safran, J. D., Kriss, A. & Foley, V. K. (2019). Psychoanalytic therapies. In D. Wedding & R. J.
Corsini (Eds.), Current psychotherapies (11th ed.) pp. 21-58. Boston, MA: Cengage.
1.1.2
Kealy, D., Ogrodniczuk, J. (2019). Theoretical Evolution in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. In Kealy, D.

& Ogrodniczuk, J. (Eds.), Contemporary Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. pp. 3-17. Academic
Press, 2019. (available in library). https://discovery.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?
id=84b5ad2a-7b3e-39bb-8db5-d0cf621c3fad train
How do early childhood experiences impact behavior and personality, and why is this
important in psychodynamic therapy?
Psychodynamic theory is a psychological perspective that emphasizes the role of

unconscious thoughts, feelings, and experiences in shaping behavior and personality. It
originated with the work of Sigmund Freud and has been expanded upon and modified
by his followers and subsequent theorists.
One of the schools of psychodynamic psychotherapy is psychoanalysis, which was

founded by Freud. Psychoanalysis emphasizes the role of unconscious conflicts and
childhood experiences in shaping behavior and personality, and it seeks to bring these
unconscious processes into conscious awareness through the use of techniques such as
free association, interpretation of dreams, and transference. In psychoanalytic
counseling, the therapist works to help the client understand and work through
unconscious conflicts and emotions, with the goal of achieving insight and
psychological growth.
In summary, psychodynamic theory views behavior and personality as influenced by

unconscious thoughts and experiences, and the psychoanalytic model of
psychodynamic psychotherapy seeks to bring these unconscious processes into
conscious awareness to promote insight and psychological growth.
A theory is considered psychodynamic if it views human behavior and personality as

influenced by unconscious processes, such as thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and
the interactions between these unconscious processes and conscious experiences.
Psychodynamic theories also typically focus on early childhood experiences and the
development of personality and behavior over the lifespan.
Central to psychodynamic theory is the idea that unconscious conflicts and emotions
can shape behavior and impact a person's relationships, emotions, and thoughts. This
perspective also emphasizes the role of the unconscious mind in shaping conscious
thoughts and experiences, and it views the therapeutic relationship as a means of
accessing and understanding unconscious processes.
Some key concepts in psychodynamic theory include the role of unconscious conflict,
transference and countertransference in the therapeutic relationship, and the
importance of early childhood experiences in shaping behavior and personality.
Psychodynamic theories also typically view psychological symptoms and disorders as
arising from unconscious conflicts and emotions.
1.2
Focus on the key concepts of a cyclical relational psychodynamic approach to therapy; and how
can transference be utilized in the here and now to highlight maladaptive interpersonal
patterns?

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Hilsenroth, M. & Pittman, S. (2019). Working with Cyclical Relational Patterns in Contemporary

Kealy, D., Ogrodniczuk, J. (2019). Theoretical Evolution in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. In Kealy, D.

Psychodynamic theory is a psychological perspective that emphasizes the role of

One of the schools of psychodynamic psychotherapy is psychoanalysis, which was

In summary, psychodynamic theory views behavior and personality as influenced by

A theory is considered psychodynamic if it views human behavior and personality as

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