Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Question 1

psychodynamics

Answer 1

developmental model of ‘moving forces’ of the unconscious mind, which affects conscious thought, feeling and behavior

Question 2

theory of psychodynamics

Answer 2

mind is the site of psychological conflict between unconscious drives and fear of retribution for acting on those drives, which can be maladaptive and expressed as psychologic symptoms and pathologic personal traits; uncover conflict to address maladaptive behavior

Question 3

Freud’s topographical model

Answer 3

unconscious- feelings, wants, that are out of awareness
preconscious- things that can be quickly brought into consciousness
conscious- feelings, thoughts that are in awareness

Question 4

Freud’s structural model

Answer 4

id- unconscious (esp sexual and aggressive drives)
ego- executive branch, modulates between id, super-ego and outside world; resolves conflict between id and super-ego
super ego- conscience, societal norms, morality
contains “ego-ideal,” how we think we should be

Question 5

techniques of psychotherapy

Answer 5

free association- helps uncover unconscious
resistance- locates “where to dig”
dreams/fantasies- uncover id drives
transference- unconscious reactivation of feelings from early caregivers/parents to therapist

Question 6

requirements for psychodynamic therapy

Answer 6

ego strength- capacity for self relfection
lack of impulsivity
intact reality testing

Question 7

indications

Answer 7

mood disorder (MDD), panic disorder, personality disorders, subthreshold problems of living