What is the psychodynamic approach and what is its goal?

The study of the elements of our psychic defenseand the motivations of our affective characteristics are studied through psychoanalysis, which opens its applications with various tools such as thepsychodynamic approach.

In this sense, the psychodynamic approach was born mainly with Freud, by the end of the nineteenth century and has different elementary considerationsdepending on everything that is part of our behavior and development.

In the following article we will talk about the psychodynamic approach, its characteristics, objectives and methods.

What is the psychodynamic approach?

The psychodynamic approach is defined by the UNAM Journal of Mexico, as acurrent of thoughtthat is nourished by psychoanalytic contributions mainly, butfocuses on the understanding ofunconscious conflicts, behavior and affective motivation. (1)

It is also amethod of therapy that seeks to make conscious what until now was unconscious, being part of this the previously mentioned: conflicts that present and the nature of their feelings.

Note: The psychodynamic approach allowsfor self-knowledgeand theability to manage conflicts.

What is the purpose of the psychodynamic approach?

Next, the objectives in which thispsychodynamicapproach is emphasized for the fulfillment of its applications will be mentioned:

1. Make the unconscious conscious

As previously mentioned, the main objective is considered this, sinceit is applied at a structural levelthat allows the recognition of the nature of affections or the valorization of mental and behavioral structures of individuals.

2. Identify the origin of people’s symptoms and discomforts

In the Psicoarganzuela article, they, mention how the approach is identified with the need the approach is identified with the need to identify the with the origin of the symptoms and the discomforts that individuals present, seeking their resolution in the need for them to be identified and resolved. (two)

3. Help people understand their feelings and behaviors

Introspection is one of the practices that are applied in this approach , thus understanding the world that they carry inside through psychodynamic tools. They promote reflection and self-knowledge.

4. Contribute to conflict resolution

The psychodynamic approach allows the resolution of problems, whether approach allows the resolution of problems, whether internal or relational, since this type of approach allows conflict points to be reflected and to be identified at their root.

Similarly, the In the same way, the psychodynamic approach Studies behavior patternsalso for the understanding of certain agents that develop qualities in the individual and and allows modification through different principles , ranging from internal interventions and external stimuli.

5. Help treat anxiety, phobias and obsessive compulsive disorders

The realization of an approach to experimentation and psychoanalysis is fundamental. Theadvance of recognition is sought is sought and later it is treated from the basic aspects on the creation of these reactions in our organism.

You should know: They are usually being developed as defense mechanisms characterized by poor internalization.

6. Promote self-awareness

This approach is humanistic, it focuses, as we have previously mentioned, on a tool for the knowledge of the personality and and the elements that make up our behavior and our being.

Note: It also allows the the development of awareness and criteria allowing the birth of new perspectives and positive repercussions.

What are the characteristics of the psychodynamic approach?

The characteristics allow the application of the psychodynamic approach to be defined and determined tag. They will be mentioned and described below for a better understanding of their process:

1. It constitutes a therapeutic approach within psychology

The therapeutic approach is is based on a therapy with orientation from the psychodynamic elements, where the patient’s symptoms are identified and the patient’s symptoms are identified and solved.

To highlight:Psicoarganzuela(4)there is talk of a work that recognizes the aspects of the individual’spersonalitysuch as their means, defense mechanisms, ways of relating, etc., to reconstruct their relationships and life history, recognizing the functioning of the same and creating more satisfactory styles according to those involved. their , etc., to

2. Part of psychoanalysis

It has an intrinsic relationship with the contributions of psychoanalysis, although less intense and in the short term. It is nourished from experimentation and psychology developed through comparisons.

including the levels of consciousness that are

3. It is based on few fundamental principles

Since it is an initially Freudonian model, the psychodynamic approach has a reduced number of fundamental principles , among which the determination that behavior is not something that is conducive to chance is recognized.

Note: It focuses on the fact that Freud (5) considered the human mind as instinctual , where the individual struggles between what he wants and what he must do to obtain solutions.

4. It has different currents

There are different psychodynamic theories and , with the

Among these currents, the following can be identified:

• Jungian theory
• Adler’s Theory
• Sullivan perspective
• Melanie Klein’s theory
• Bowlby’s attachment theory
• Theory Otto Rank

5. It is made up of dynamic and intrapsychic elements

At the University Institute of Dynamic Psychology , they mention how factors allow differentiation with other approaches (6)tag. In this type of elements, a struggle of antagonistic forces takes place, putting into play the characteristics of this approach.

To highlight: Those intrapsychic forces that are unleashed as drive forces, guide towards a conceptualization between the relationship between the conscious and the unconscious .

6. It is considered a medical type approach

The consideration is due to his interest in discovering the organic causes of of all existing mental illnesses and conflicts of individuals or considered patients, because everything came from a process as a means towards a disease.

What are the methods of the psychodynamic approach?

The methods are those derivations of the psychodynamic approach , finding its roots and the techniques to apply it in different individuals. Below we mention and describe them for your better understanding:

1. Free association

Free association can be defined as a method described by Sigmund Freud that consists of the individual’s expression , , analyzed during treatment sessions focusing on their experiences, , emotions, , thoughts, images, etc.

To highlight: It focuses on the spontaneity of real and free thoughts and feelings.

2. Dream analysis

Freud always considered that dreams are manifestations of thoughts and that they are linked to their feelings and liberations, which although they are unconscious discover even repressed desires.

You should know: Among his approaches, Freud explained how there are no alterations or modifications between the emotional content and the expression given to them in dreams, which is why they are a Very useful tool for understandingaspects of the dreamer and their internal relationships.

3. Therapeutic transfer

It constitutes a method to understand the mind of the patient tag. It originates as a change of direction between thoughts and it happens to be like a mark of affective displacement between one idea and another.

Note: In the study of A case of transference: psychoanalytic approach ((7) there is talk about a false connection that usually exists between the patient and the therapist (representation and analyst). 

This is not only a phenomenon but a response or mechanism , where the subject establishes a link with the therapist based on drive charges and sexual characteristics.

4. Interpretation

The interpretation focuses on a fairly deep coherence ofof what the patient has spoken, which is responsible for rescuing the true meanings, the background and subjectivity of the story and the individual.

5. Countertransference

Countertransference is a method where where the the therapist’s focus leads him to transfer previous experiences to the patient , where the patient then responds and reacts to these stimuli. (8)

On the other hand, countertransference is from a cognitive and behavioral perspective. It is areaction where the therapist has the presence of feelings , based on the shared experiences and it is essential to then release all the influence that he can have on the effectiveness of his work.

To highlight: In many cases it is considered as a as a tool that allows the improvement of interaction and dynamics in search of a deep understanding, being recognized as instruments to evaluate therapeutically.

Key Findings

• The psychodynamic approach is a current of thought that is mainly nourished by psychoanalytic contributions.
• It focuses on the unconscious conflicts, behavior and affective motivation.
• The psychodynamic approach psychodynamic approach is based on a therapy with orientation from the psychodynamic elements.
• It has an intrinsic relationship with the contributions of psychoanalysis , although less intense and in the short term.
• The psychodynamic approach has different methods of application such as free association, therapeutic transference, interpretation, among others.