Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Question 1

The developmental model of the mind of “moving forces” of unconscious mind, which affect conscious thoughts, feelings, and behaviors

Answer 1

Psychodynamics

Question 2

The theory of psychodynamics believes that the mind is the site of ________ between unconscious drives and fears of retributions for acting on these drives. These can become maladaptive and expressed as _______. Once _______ is addressed, maladaptive behavior can be improved.

Answer 2

Theory: the mind is the site of psychological conflict between unconscious drives.

These can be expressed as psychopathology (psychological symptoms).

Once these conflicts are uncovered or addressed, the patient can improve.

Question 3

Freud’s definition of the unconscious?

Answer 3

feelings, wants, desires of the mind that are OUT OF AWARENESS.

Question 4

The 3 parts of the mind, according to Freud, are:

Answer 4

1. The Id
2. The Ego
3. The Super-ego

Question 5

unconscious drives/wishes of the mind

Answer 5

The id

Question 6

“executive branch” of the mind: ________, which resolves conflict between ______ and ______.

Answer 6

The ego resolves conflict between the id and the super-ego.

Question 7

This is the name for the things we feel we shouldn’t do, including our conscience, societal norms, morality. It contains the ideal ego, idealized version of our “perfect” self. This is the source of guilt and fears of retribution for _____ drives.

Answer 7

The super-ego!

the unconscious (id)

Question 8

A practice of psychotherapy of saying whatever comes to mind w/o filtering, helps uncover the unconscious:

Answer 8

free association

Question 9

Anything that opposes the work of psychotherapy, helps us to learn about how a patient’s mind works and “where to dig deeper”:

Answer 9

resistance

Question 10

Wish-fulfillment, which allows the id to act on drives safely, can uncover id drives. This is exhibited in the form of:

Answer 10

dreams and fantasies

Question 11

An unconscious reactivation of feelings, attitudes, or behaviors that were first established and used in response to parents, early caregivers, or other relationships that is now transferred to the relationship of the patient with his/her therapist. This is called

Answer 11

transference

Question 12

The ability of the patient to exhibit insight into their patterns of behavior; a patient’s capacity for self reflection, psychological mindedness, lack of impulsivity, reality testing intact. Required for the patient to be suitable for psychodynamic psychotherapy

Answer 12

Ego Strength

Question 13

What are some (five given here but there are probably more) common indications for psychodynamic psychotherapy?

Answer 13

• anxiety
• mood disorders (especially depression)
• panic disorder
• personality disorders
• sub-threshold problems of living (self-esteem issues, relationship problems, adapting to stress, etc)