Origin of the problem Flashcards
Do you need to find the origin of a problem?
- Depends on your philosophical leaning: e.g. in psychoanalysis its important factor. In Gestalt and CBT its less important.
- There are more important questions: IS there an origin to the problem? Will therapy be helped if person found origin?
What is repression?
Hypothesised mental process to protect from ideas, impulses, memories which would produce anxiety, apprehension or guilt if they became conscious.
- If client has repressed something should you bring it up? CBT says no
How do you find out if there is an origin to the problem?
Can be answered by considering how we learn:
- experience (shapes perception/belief)
- Demonstration (observing)
- We are told (what is good/bad etc)
What is spontaneous memory?
When particular issue discussed, memories of past events sometimes triggered. Not always repressed.
What are recovered memories?
Incidents remembered during course of therapy. Usually traumatic abuse from childhood. Often found to be unreliable e.g. abuse may have occurred but not by person named.
What are presenting actions during discussion?
While person telling you about issue, check if they are doing something with their body (kicking, clenching). Get to exaggerate, ask who they would do that to, if identify then why?
Hypnosis.
Can be effective in identifying origin of problem. Person asked to go back to where problem began. Surprise answers may be obtained. Not much better than normal discussion in therapy although may get clearer memory recall.
How can writing a fable hell find the origin?
Get person to write fairy-tale, open or specific theme. Go through to identify characters, setting, things they do. Get person to identify who/what each person/event represents.
How can drawing be used?
Draw representation of problem, evaluate diff aspects of drawing especially colour, objects, relationship between components.
