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Psychoanalytic Therapy
The theory of psychoanalysis developed by Sigmund
Freud bases its view of human nature on determinism.
Structure of personality consists of three systems: the id,
ego, and superego. The id is the primary source of energy
and the basis of instincts existing within the unconscious
mind and is driven by what Freud called “the pleasure
principle.” This illogical, amoral entity serves to reduce
tension and pain while restoring pleasure. The ego controls
and regulates personality, remaining in touch with reality
while formulating plans of action to satisfy needs.
Finally, the superego is the individual’s moral code judging
whether action is good or bad. This component also
regulates traditions and ideals that are handed down from
generation to generation.
Freud identifies key concepts and levels of
unconsciousness. Through psychoanalysis, the unconscious is
studied with a focus on dreams, behavior, slips of tongue,
posthypnotic suggestion, and the use of techniques like free
association that provide the client an opportunity to search
their thoughts for links to various issues and problems. In
this therapy, unconscious thoughts and processes are the
basis for all forms of problem symptoms and behaviors.
A significant component of Freud’s approach is the
concept of anxiety. Defined as a state of tension, this
feeling motivates individuals to action in order to
alleviate the uncomfortable state. Although Freud
identified a number of types of anxiety, how an individual
processes these inputs determines the effect these feeling
have on the individual and overall experience of living.
Defense mechanisms are utilized which help
individuals cope with anxieties and prevent the ego from
becoming overwhelmed. For example, the defense mechanism of
repression results in the individual burying and
forgetting the traumatic event in order to reduce painful
thoughts and emotions. Denial is used to negate the
responsibility of accepting or integrating information into
one’s life and schema. The individual essentially blinds
himself to reality and the potential pain that may accompany
the acceptance of this. To defend against a threatening
impulse, the individual could respond with the opposite
impulse to balance feelings. This is known as a reaction
formation and helps to conceal emotions that would
either call into question ones own identity. Numerous other
defense mechanisms exist including projection and
displacement and represent a key component of Freudian
theory. Interestingly enough, this aspect of
psychoanalytic theory was developed by Freud’s daughter,
Anna.
Psychoanalysis places significant importance on
early development and the distinction between psychosocial
and psychosexual development. In regards to the
psychosocial aspect, Erik Erikson built on Freud’s concepts
to integrate the psychosocial aspects of personality
development into an inclusive theory. While Erikson looks
at the entire lifespan of development in the psychosocial
stages, Freud focuses on personality development in the
context of sexual development.
Freud’s psychosexual stages begin in the first
year of life with the oral stage, as a child is fixated on
sucking and satisfying the need for food and pleasure. This
shifts to the anal stage when the child is ages one to three
and begins to develop independence, expressing strong
emotions, and accepting personal power. The third stage of
psychosexual development is the phallic stage centering on
the child’s unconscious and incestuous desires for the
parent of the opposite sex. The next stage is latency,
where previous sexual urges are replaced by a focus on
school, playmates, and sports. This is also a time of
socialization as children develop relationships with
others. And finally, the genital stage marks the last step
in Freud’s psychosexual development and begins at age
twelve, usually concluding at age eighteen, although may
continue further into life. This stage is a time of sexual
development and remains in place as long as the individual
remains mentally healthy.
During therapy, the psychoanalytic therapist
assists the client to make unconscious thoughts conscious
and to develop strength in the ego to ensure behavior is
based on reality rather than instinctual impulses arising
from the id. During this process, the therapist functions
as a blank slate providing little or no self-disclosure,
which fosters a relationship of neutrality. In fact, Freud
advocated clients lie on a couch facing away from the
therapist, minimizing opportunity for client-therapist
relationship. The psychoanalytic therapist wants to reduce
the chance that transference will occur whereby the client
projects feelings.
During sessions, the therapist works through and
explores unconscious feelings, thoughts, and experiences.
Therapy is usually long-term with treatment lasting two
years or longer. As issues result in childhood,
psychotherapy focuses on early memories and dreams as a
source for resolving current problems and anxiety.
Criticisms to this modality of treatment originate
from the basis of how psychotherapy developed. This theory
reflects the experience and values of the theorists arising
from their own family interactions and the observations of
their parents. Since his or her own experiences are applied
to everyone, a sense of objectivity appears to be lacking in
the theory of psychoanalytic therapy. Further, a practical
concern of this theory is the length of time required to
complete therapy. As previously mentioned, two or more
years with multiple sessions each week is required to fully
apply and utilize this therapy.
Personal
Evaluation
Throughout my life, I have frequently heard
Christians use to Freudian theory as a catch-all concept
defining the evil agenda of secular psychology to remove the
need for God from man. While I agree that many concepts of
Freud are antagonistic to Christian philosophy, I also feel
that Freud, in a sublime way, confirms Biblical truth.
General revelation specifies that all men have built into
them an understanding of universal right and wrong; a direct
appeal to absolute moral law. Furthermore, the Bible
defines that all men understand that they innately cannot
live up to this law, a testimony that no one is perfect.
This component of general revelation defines that man has a
sinful nature. The Freudian concept of the id as a
self-seeking potentially destructive entity to the human
psyche is a direct manifestation of this universal truth.
Psychoanalysis, therefore, recognizes the human propensity
for selfishness and counter-moral actions, an indirect
admission to man’s sinful nature. In essence, Freud’s
theory validates Biblical truth that even sinners understand
moral law. The problem with Freud, however, is that even
though he admitted the selfish nature of man, he did not
have the truth to understand what to do with it, thus
devised the system of psychoanalysis.
Psychoanalytic components such as defense
mechanisms and the unconscious mind are, I believe, valuable
contributions to psychology. Concepts such as the
Freudian slip are so readily understood, that they have
made their way into mainstream knowledge. On the other
hand, the postulation that children are driven by sexual
urges towards their parents is a bizarre one. I cannot help
but to wonder if Freud himself had these fantasies and that
this entire phase of his theory is simply a large scale
defense mechanism of projection that Freud imposed on
mankind in order to relieve his own childhood guilt.
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