Ch. 9 Psychodynamic Theory Flashcards
founders of the psychodynamic approach to family counseling
Nathan Ackerman, Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy, James Framo, Theodore Lidz, Norman Paul, Donald Williamson, Robin Skynner, and Lyman Wynne.
Nathan Ackerman
Founder of psychodynamic approach to family counseling
10 Treatment Techniques of Psychodynamic Family Therapy
Transference Underlying issues Dream and dream analysis Divergent subject experiences Projective identification Confrontation Focusing on strengths Life history Complementarity Interpretation
12 psychoanalytic defense mechanisms
repression identification with an aggressor denial regression undoing projection rationalization intellectualization reaction formation displacement dissociation compartmentalization
identification with an aggressor
A psychological process whereby a person assimilates an aspect, property, or attribute of another and is transformed, wholly or partially, by the model the other person or persons provide.
undoing
A defense mechanism in which a person tries to “undo” an unhealthy, destructive or otherwise threatening thought or action by engaging in contrary behavior.
projection
Instead of stating what a person really thinks or feels, he or she attributes an unacceptable thought, feeling, or motive to another.
rationalization
This defense mechanism involves giving an “intellectual reason” to justify a certain action.
intellectualization
A defense mechanism where reasoning is used to block confrontation with an unconscious conflict and its associated emotional stress—where thinking is used to avoid feeling.
reaction formation
When an individual behaves in a manner that is just the opposite of how he or she feels, it is known as a “reaction formation.”
displacement
This defense is a redirection of an emotional response onto a “safe target.”
dissociation
A defense mechanism where people lose track of time and/or their personhood
compartmentalization
A lesser form of dissociation, wherein parts of the self are separated from awareness of other parts and behaving as if each had separate sets of values.
repression
the unconscious exclusion of distressing or painful thoughts and memories.
denial
In this process, a person refuses to see or accept any problem or troublesome aspect of life
regression
Returning to a less mature way of behaving under stress
catalyst
the role that a psychodynamic family therapist plays by moving into the “living space” of the family and stirring up interactions
cause-and-effect interactions
linear causality; forces moving in one direction (the opposite of interconnectedness as envisioned in systems theory
crisis resolution
a treatment modality used in crisis situations in which the therapist focuses most on supporting defenses and clarifying communication in order to help a family.
good enough mother (parent)
a mother who lets an infant feel loved and cared for and thereby helps the infant develop trust and a true sense of self.
interlocking pathology
a term created by Nathan Ackerman to explain how families and certain of their members stay dysfunctional. In an interlocking pathology, an unconscious process takes place between family members that keeps them together
invisible loyalties
unconscious commitments that grown children make to help their families of origin, especially their parents.
object
a significant other (e.g., a mother) with whom children form an interactional, emotional bond.
object relations theory
a psychoanalytic way of explaining relationships across generations. According to this theory, human beings have a fundamental motivation to seek objects (i.e., people) in relationships, starting at birth
object relations
relations between persons involved in ardent emotional attachments.
splitting
viewing object representations as either all good or all bad. The result is a projection of good and bad qualities onto persons within one’s environment. Through splitting, people are able to control their anxiety and even the objects (i.e., persons) within their environment by making them predictable.
tickling of defenses
Nathan Ackerman’s term for provoking family members to open up and say what was on their mind.
