Psychoanalysis/Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
As you have probably learned, there are many “schools” of psychoanalysis, Freudian, Jungian, Sullivanian, etc. Each expresses a different theoretical view point as to the underlying source for the development of personal characteristics and behavior. However, no matter the theoretic school, there are two primary concepts which form the basis of all of the psychoanalytic approaches.
The first is based on the observation that individuals are often unaware of many of the factors that determine their emotional reactions and behavior. These unconscious factors may create troubling personality traits, difficulties in work or in love relationships, or disturbances in mood and self-esteem. The psychoanalytic (long-term/intensive) or psychodynamic (short-term/limited) approach to treatment helps the individual know how these unconscious factors affect current relationships and patterns of behavior and how they can be changed.
The second critical underpinning of the psychoanalytic approach is often identified as “the transference relationship.” The concept of transference is the notion that all of the unconscious factors that play out in the individual’s relationships, personal and professional, will also play out in the relationship the individual has with the analyst. Because it is at-the-moment, the analyst can use these interactions to illustrate how specific unconscious factors influence the individual’s behavior and reactions, as well as suggesting how those reactions might be modified to improve all relationships.
