The psychodynamic model is a branch of psychology derived from classical psychoanalysis.
Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, coined the term metapsychology to indicate the set of theoretical assumptions that make up a psychoanalytic theory.
According to Freudian metapsychology, the psychic apparatus is represented by three different parts:
- This is the place where psychological processes and instances develop. In the first topical part, according to Freud, the psychic apparatus was divided into unconscious, preconscious and conscious. In the second topic the first model was transformed into I, Es and Super I;
- dynamic, according to which the psychic phenomena derive from the conflict of antagonistic motivational forces, among which the most relevant are those moved by the unconscious, which continually tries to access the consciousness, but is opposed by an opposite force that prevents the implementation of the contents.
- The economic force refers to the impulses divided into primary, typical of the Es that is determined by the principle of pleasure, and secondary, deriving from the Ego, regulated by the principle of reality.
The psychodynamic model, therefore, is a part of metapsychology and groups together the different psychological currents that enhance the psychogenetic mechanisms at the basis of psychic construction and behavior. The term psychodynamic, in fact, derives from the theoretical assumption according to which the psychic apparatus is seen as dynamic, that is in movement between internal and external, between unconscious and conscious.
In essence, psychodynamic psychotherapy originates from psychoanalysis, but evolves from it, incorporating concepts and aspects related to different theories and psychological models, which focus mainly on the object relations of the individual and on impulses. Psychodynamic psychotherapy includes several theories including, in addition to Freud, Jungian analytical psychology, Lacanian psychoanalysis, and Adler's individual psychology.
The different theoretical branches within psychodynamic psychotherapy
Psychodynamic psychotherapy comprises four broad theoretical areas of psychoanalytic derivation:
- The psychology of the Ego, derived from Freud's theory, according to which the intrapsychic world is in the conflict between instances, and this conflict causes anguish. Here, come into play the defenses that have the purpose of protecting the Ego against the instinctual demands of the Ex.
- The theory of object relations, which originates from the thought of Melanie Klein, Fairbairn, Winnicott and Balint. According to this theory, drives emerge in the context of a relationship and can never be separated from them. The unconscious conflict, therefore, derives from the clash between opposing pairs of internal units of object relations. As a result, coherent narrative selves are formed from which different emotions are inferred.
- The psychology of the Self, founded by Heinz Kohut and subsequently implemented, seeks to demonstrate that all forms of psychopathology are based on defects present in the structure of the Self and that these are due to disturbances of the Self/object-Self relationships that occurred in childhood. According to this approach, external relations facilitate the maintenance of good self-esteem and self-cohesiveness.
- Post-modern theories and the theory of attachment, according to which objective truth is contained in the patient, inserted in a dyad, therapist-patient who exchanges perspectives from different points of view. Moreover, the type of attachment becomes the central motivational system in the early years of life and moves the child to maintain physical proximity to the attachment figure to obtain its protection and care.
The basic assumption
The basic assumption of psychodynamic psychotherapy consists of considering the behavior of the individual as motivated by deep or unconscious motivations, causes, and dynamics. Interpretation is, therefore, the main intervention tool to be able to modify the presence of pathological behaviors. For this reason, the behaviors carried out daily derive and result from these unconscious forces that are in a dynamic, fluid relationship with each other.
Consequently, psychological discomfort is considered as the result of conflict, born from unconscious forces that tend to manifest themselves, and for this reason, they are subject to constant control exercised by opposing and conscious forces. Thus, the unconscious plays a fundamental role in determining a person's behavior and is responsible for psychic well-being. For example, dreams, lapses, forgetfulness of daily life are all unconscious manifestations that influence and determine the life of each person.
The purpose of psychodynamic psychotherapy
The aim of psychodynamic psychotherapy is to give a new meaning to the patient's life story, starting with a critical re-evaluation of individual events. The individual experiences himself as active, dynamic, in the process of his own change, understanding the pathological dynamics that determine the symptom. The symptom, in turn, manifests itself in interpersonal relations and makes the relationship with others unsatisfactory.
The request that the person brings to the therapist is of an emotional type and includes aspects of himself and of the relationship with the environment. The psychotherapist's task is to investigate the emotional and unconscious meanings that the subject attributes to the events surrounding him, to the problems that led him to request a consultation. The psychotherapist, therefore, should not propose the same relational styles, not very adaptive, that the subject experiences in his usual relationships, but should present the patient with a new relationship, free from conditioning and prejudice, that disconfirms ideas not entirely rational. Therefore, by experiencing a relationship different from the past ones, the symptoms become more and more conscious of the person. Consequently, the unconscious becomes conscious and the person is offered the possibility of a more serene and conscious choice of life. The therapeutic purpose has been completed.
To conclude
Psychodynamic psychotherapy has as its objective to face and cure the discomfort and the psychic and emotional suffering, having a theoretical framework the psychoanalysis. However, a path of psychodynamic psychotherapy develops less frequently and with a shorter duration than the actual psychoanalytic treatment.
The treatment can last a set number of meetings or vary according to the needs of the patient. In any case, a psychodynamic treatment involves not only the treatment of symptoms but a broader intervention aimed at developing personal resources.