What is the psychodynamic model and what is its objective?

What is the psychodynamic model?

The psychodynamic model is born from the psychoanalytic approach, which takes as a reference the knowledge of psychologists such asCarl Jung (1), Jacques Lacan (2), Sigmund Freud (3) orMelanie Klein (4).

It refers to the application of several principles or modelsfrom different perspectives, but having psychoanalysis as its main axis, on the basis that all behavior does not occur randomly, and that even accidents appear with identifiable causes. (5)

These conflicts appear mainly in the processes of the unconscious, and that is why psychoanalysis is the meeting point of all the principles applied in this therapy. This model is based on the principles of the psychodynamic approach.

Note: Psychodynamic theories argue that human behavior is the consequence of psychological forces, which occur in the mind of the individual and occur outside of consciousness.

What is the goal of the psychodynamic model?

For psychology, the psychodynamic model focuses on the following aspects of the human mind:

1. Delve into the unconscious of the human being

Since for psychoanalysis the mental conflicts of the human being happen from the unconscious , it is inferred that the object of study of the psychodynamic model is this component of Freud’s levels of consciousness , the unconscious.

To highlight: The psychodynamic model focuses on the conflicts that occur between the various instances that make up the psychic apparatus that structures the “Second Topic of Freud” : the ” ego “, ” The ID ” and ” The Superego “. (6)

2. Analyze traumas, fears and conflicts

The psychotherapist, through the use of some strategies that participate in the psychodynamic model, can analyze the traumas, fears and conflicts that the patient may be suffering at a psychological level.

You should know: The purpose of the psychodynamic model is to obtain enough information to guide the patient in his mental recovery.

3. Achieve mental balance

Through the application of strategies for the treatment of mental conflicts, such as psychodynamic therapy, the psychotherapist seeks the mental balance and mental health of the patient , in order to improve their quality of life.

What are the techniques of the psychodynamic model?

Next, we will explain the techniques used by the psychodynamic model for the treatment of patients suffering from mental conflicts:

1. Free association

Free association is a technique typical of psychoanalysis, which consists of the patient expressing all those thoughts that come to his mind spontaneously from a certain topic or word, with the least participation of the therapist in relation to judging or expressing criticism. towards what the patient expresses to avoid censorship.

Note: This strategy is intended to reach the depths of the individual’s thoughts and from there, identify and recognize the possible hidden conflicts in his mind. (7)

2. Resistance

Resistance refers to the set of behaviors and attitudes of rejection or denial of a patient against psychotherapeutic treatment, or also to the rejection of some specific aspect of therapy or against the person of the therapist.

To emphasize: At that moment the patient may show resistance by saying that nothing occurs to him, for example. (8)

At this point, the therapist may suspect the presence of some underlying trauma that the patient’s mind does not want to manifest out of fear, which must be treated with great patience and without putting pressure on the patient, as it may be an indication of what is happening in his Psyche .

3. Transfer

The transference refers to the therapeutic process, which occurs in the psychotherapy session , through which a patient unconsciously projects feelings, experiences and emotions stored in his mind onto his analyst . (9)

You should know: For psychoanalysis, it represents a set of ideas or feelings derived from the past and that the patient transfers to his therapist during treatment.

4. Confrontation

For psychoanalysis it is called confrontation, the practice that is often carried out before a psychological intervention , where the patient is motivated to attend to the experiences that he has been avoiding.

Note: In this technique, the psychotherapist tries to make the patient perceive certain aspects of his behavior of which he has not been aware and this technique is directed to aspects that are conscious or very close to the patient’s consciousness in the preconscious .

5. Interpretation

Interpretation is a technique of the psychodynamic model, which consists of the analyst’s verbal intervention with the purpose of making the patient aware of some psychological aspect discovered in psychodynamic therapy and of which he is not fully aware or has evaded. (10)

6. Catharsis

In this context, the therapist must get the patient to expel from his psychic interior, everything that he has kept and that has been stored in the unconscious and which disturbs his mental and even physical peace. (eleven)

7. Suggestion and manipulation

Suggestion is the psychological technique that is aimed at mental manipulation of the patient through a series of strategies, other people, media such as music or books, which have the ability to guide or lead ideas, emotions. or patient behavior. (12)

To highlight: Psychological manipulation involves performing some actions of mental distortion and emotional exploitation by the therapist, in order to exercise temporary control over the patient, with the aim of being able to annul inappropriate behavior and guide psychotherapy.

Key Conclusions

• The psychodynamic model stems from the psychoanalytic approach.
• The psychodynamic model consists of the application of several principles or models from different perspectives, but with psychoanalysis as its main axis.
• The psychodynamic model is based on the principles of the psychodynamic approach.
• The psychodynamic model has the central role of revealing the conflict that occurs in the unconscious.