The purpose of the "Psychodynamic Counselling in Action" series by Michael Jacobs is to provide an in-depth understanding of the psychodynamic approach to counselling and its application in practice. The series aims to provide listeners with a comprehensive overview of the key concepts, techniques, and strategies used in psychodynamic counselling, with a particular focus on the therapist-client relationship and the exploration of unconscious processes.
The series is designed to serve as a valuable resource for students, trainee counsellors, and practicing therapists who are interested in incorporating psychodynamic principles into their practice. Through a series of case studies, the series illustrates how psychodynamic counselling can be used
…show more content…
Psychodynamic therapy is based on the notion that our behavior and emotions are driven by unconscious motives and conflicts that originated in our childhood experiences. In this audio series, Jacobs focuses on the central concepts of the psychodynamic approach, such as transference, countertransference, resistance, and interpretation.
Jacobs emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and non-judgmental therapeutic environment in which the client can explore their unconscious conflicts and feelings. He also emphasizes the significance of the therapeutic relationship in psychodynamic therapy, which is viewed as a means of exploring and resolving the client's underlying conflicts.
What is covered
The series consists of eight hour-long sessions, each of which focuses on a different aspect of psychodynamic therapy.
In the first session, Jacobs introduces the concept of psychodynamic therapy and highlights the importance of the therapeutic relationship. He emphasizes the role of the therapist in creating a safe and supportive environment for clients to explore their thoughts and feelings. Jacobs also discusses the importance of listening to clients and using empathy to understand their
Therapist met with the client for individual therapy at school. Therapist did a check in regards to symptoms, mood, thoughts, emotions, coping skills, the goals that he achieved, and behaviors since the last session. Therapist processed the client's negative thoughts. Therapist used open-ended questions to address any concerns the client may have. Therapist encouraged the client to keep motivated during the stressful time, especially when he has negative thoughts, which stats usually with negative thoughts, argue with his sisters, or with his aunt, or if he has been triggered by any internal or external thoughts.
Therapist greeted client, brother, and mother. Therapist checked in on symptoms, behaviors, coping skills, thoughts, emotions, and conflicts. Therapist reflected client and mother report of client's behavior in order to validate, process, and reflect. Therapist probed client in regards to internal and external triggers. Therapist gave praise for client being able to identify triggers, honest, and sharing.
The psychodynamic theory aims to treat mental health disorders by looking at the interaction of conscious and unconscious elements of a client. By using these methods, the client is able to understand their repressed fears and conflicts as they are brought into the conscious mind. The key elements of this theory include the importance of the unconscious mind and how this might influence one's behaviour and how this can be used to address mental health conditions. The theory states our behaviour is based on our past experiences, which is why tapping into the unconscious is important to understand all past experiences and repressed feelings and memories.
A personal philosophy of counselling Introduction My personal odyssey into the realm of counselling has been quite the reluctant adventure. The perilous journey from childhood to adulthood was difficult to navigate given the cognitive map that had been handed down. My father was a functioning alcoholic who was both physically and verbally abusive. My mother was a martyr prone to mood swings and suicidal thoughts.
The potential forms of treatments of disorders will be directed to cognitive and psychodynamic approaches. Cognitive therapies have found means to help clients identify and challenge their negative thoughts and dysfunctional belief symptoms. Whereas psychodynamic approaches, helped clients recognize their maladaptive coping strategies and the sources of their unconscious conflicts. They help free
Jacobs presents information in a clear and straightforward way, using examples and case studies to illustrate key concepts and ideas. The recordings of therapy sessions are particularly helpful, as they provide real-life examples of how psychodynamic principles are applied in practice. Another strength of the series is its emphasis on the importance of the therapeutic relationship. Jacobs emphasizes the role of the therapist in creating a safe and supportive environment for clients to explore their thoughts and feelings.
One is to help the client notice the futility of previous controlling attempts (e.g., emotional avoidance). A second goal is to generate therapeutic contexts where willing to experience her struggles without the attempts of suppressing, distracting, or getting rid of them. The paradoxical effect of controlling strategies is discussed along with a metaphor, and the willingness to contact with her private events as an alternative are briefly introduced. In addition, session 8 and 9 are designed to help her discriminate contexts where controlling strategies work and where they do not work. Session 9 focuses on the discriminating training.
As a future counselor the client is very important to me I must be genuine and open to the client expressing my open feelings, so the client will mirror and express honest and true feelings in return. I must accept the client presently where they are and allow the client to communicate to me of their experiences. The client experiences allow them to verbally express themselves and develop a rational decision towards their present and maybe upcoming issues. The counselor must be an active listener, reflex and repeat the client comment back to them. This technique engages and enforces the empathy of the counselor to the client.
Psychodynamic counselling is based on the understanding that there is a correlation between the unconscious and conscious mind. With this in mind the counsellor is able to make links to the clients past which has determined their current day thought processes and behaviours. The key elements to the psychodynamic theory provides the counsellor with the tools to achieve the best positive outcome for the client. The psychodynamic theory suggests that a persons behaviour can be determined by past experiences, genetic inheritance and what is happening in the present situation. There is a strong belief that all internal experiences relate to a persons relationship with others and that gaining insight is an important goal, sometimes even more so than feelings or emotions.
Therapists must access their own internal process such as their feelings, attitudes and moods. Therapists’, who are not receptive to the awareness of their flow of thoughts and feelings, will not be able to help clients be aware of theirs (Kahn, 1997, p. 40). Though congruence does not mean that therapists have to share personal issues with clients, a therapist must not conceal their inner process from the client, and not be defensive but transparent (Kahn, 1997, p. 41). By being open sometimes a therapist learns more not only about their client but about themselves
Counselors may allow their own personal experiences and histories to cloud the direction of their treatment due to personal conflicts in their lives. Counselors often ignore the feelings that their clients create in them. In order for me to deal with this type of situation ethically and effectively I would first have to accept the countertransference that is at hand, and seek personal therapy. Therapy will enable me to share my countertransference concerns, and become aware when they are taking place. It is important that I acknowledge these feelings and deal with them right away before it can effect therapy with the client, by seeking personal therapy or consolidation with a colleague or professional.
Critical Analysis of a Psychodynamic Role-Play The following is a critical analysis of a recorded counseling session taking a psychodynamic therapy (PDT) approach with the client, Jasmin, who struggles to control her anger and experiences outbursts that negatively impact her interpersonal relationships. Jasmin seeks the professional support of Dr. Todd, who uses PDT techniques to help her work through her problem. PDT is based on psychoanalytic concepts developed by Freud, Jung and Adler, who believed that the root of one's problems lies within the unconscious. PDT aims to empower clients with tools to better understand themselves, manage themselves independently and ultimately lead to a more fulfilling life.
DISCUSSION From the beginning, the therapist had to deal with own doubts and anxiety. The therapist had heard a lot about the psychodynamic psychotherapy but this was the first time he conduct the sessions by himself. Unlike pharmacotherapy, there is no standard clinical practice guideline or recommendation for the therapist to refer to or follow. The therapist was worried that he was unable to conduct the therapy effectively and his patient would not benefit from the therapy.
Experiential authentic treatments provide a brief structured intervention which then results to a beneficial approach for clients. This then lead itself to a freedom of limitation and preconception. These treatments will last for years to provide efficiency and optimum results towards the clients. (Nunberg, NCBI, 1943) Psychoanalysts battling against the founder of the discipline take special pride in discovery. This has then result to a richness of psychoanalytic ideas.
Over the past one and half month, the class of PDE 502 (Counselling and Career Education) has taught me some major lessons for life in dealing with the clients in response to their emotional needs. The role of a counsellor is not unlike that of a friend where by it is nurtured by being in each other’s company, talking over everyday issues and sharing feelings. However, what sets a counsellor apart is their experience and the ability to apply counselling theories and techniques to assist people in gaining awareness, insight and explore ways of solving their own issues.