The psychodynamic approach focuses on what is occurring inside an individual’s head to get a better sense of how the client views the world. This theory is based on the interactions of drives and forces within the unconsciousness and personality within a person. According Freud, a person’s behavior is organized to satisfy drives and needs, which behavior is motivated by internal or psychological forces, which can cause an imbalance in the internal forces to motivate behavior. The concept of human nature in the psychodynamic theory is based on two distinct hypotheses, psychic determinism and dynamic unconscious (Henderson, 2016). Psychic determinism centers on the implication that the mental process are determined by the unconscious whereas …show more content…
Within this particular counseling setting, the focus is on the interaction of the family members, and involves interventions that affect the entire family system (Henderson, 2016). The goal of this theory is to change the dysfunctional family patterns through a variety of arrangements, from individuals to group interaction. The Systems theory is organized in units made up of different parts, which is a circular, pattern which A causes B and B causes A (Henderson, 2016). Systems Family Theory viewed human nature in a positive perspective, which people are rational and have the ability to make choices (Henderson, 2016). Furthermore, the Family Systems Theory perceives behavior as directly relating to the individual position within the family. There are eight concepts that Bowen believed centered around the Family Systems Theory, many which reflect family boundaries and interactions. These concepts include, relationships between spouses, differentiation of self, triangles, nuclear family emotional system, family projection process, multigenerational transmission process, sibling position, emotional cutoffs, and emotional process in society (Henderson, 2016). Other core concept, determined by other theorist, revolves around centripetal and centrifugal which further describe the relationship styles within the families by looking inward, centripetal, as source of satisfaction; along with, centrifugal, looking outside for satisfaction (Henderson, 2016). In addition, another core concept is family projection process that refers to the transmission that causes symptoms in the child (Henderson, 2016). Many of the concepts described in the Family Systems Theory, are based on the connection, the togetherness, and the conflict that leads to a person holding responsibility within their role within the family.
In understanding others, one must first understand our own family background and how it affects our understanding of the world. Conversely, family systems draw on the view of the family as an emotional unit. Under system thinking, one evaluates the parts of the systems in relation to the whole meaning behavior becomes informed by and inseparable from the functioning of one’s family of origin. These ideas show that individuals have a hard time separating from the family and the network of relationships. With a deeper comprehension of the family of origin helps with the challenges and awareness of normalized human behaviors. When interviewing and analyzing the family of origin, allow one to look at their own family of origin
Family systems are processes by which families interact or relate emotionally and physically with one another in order to hopefully create or maintain order and/or control in their environments. This family systems theory, sometimes called family emotional systems theory, provides a comprehensive fr...
The psychodynamics theory which was introduced by Freud to understand the human mind and psyche, reached a new level in the continuous analysis from therapists. Psychodynamics originally has been explained as a study of various psychological forces that affect human behavior which is related to early experiences. It specifically discusses the connection between the conscious and subconscious motivations. The theory was further analyzed and developed by Melanie Klein, Carl Jung and Alfred Adler. Based on the theory, the psychodynamic therapy evolved to help patients through psychoanalysis. With time other therapies like individual, group and family therapy evolved to offer treatment by understanding the present day complexities in more detail. The main aim of the therapy is self –awareness through identifying the various influences of many past events in life. The therapies are continuously evolving since it was introduced by Freud to help in solving a variety of psychological disorders within people.
The family structure is made up of individuals living together in intimate groups with the purpose of caring and supporting each other. Rules and boundaries, spoken and unspoken, are developed by the family members. Family rules and boundaries change and shift over time in order to evolve and grow as a family unit. Some changes are subtle, but some events force major change within the family system. This paper applies the concepts of systems theory to the family system in the movie Sweet Home Alabama. Reese Witherspoon (Melanie Smooter) and Josh Lucas (Jake Perry) star in this heart-warming film telling a story of a young woman who flees from Alabama to reinvent herself in New York City as a high fashion designer. She leaves behind her redneck husband and white-trash upbringing. Melanie finds herself engaged to the cities most eligible bachelor and has to return to Alabama to request a divorce from her first love and confront her past ("Alabama," 2002).
According to Richard Charles (2001) “the effectiveness of family systems theory rests not much on empirical research but on clinical reports of positive treatment outcomes, the personal benefits experienced by the families that underwent this kind of treatment, and the elegance of Bowen’s theory” (p. 279). Bowen’s family systems theory views the family as an emotional unit and is a theory of human behavior. Systems thinking is used to describe the complex interactions in the unit. However, the client’s ability to differentiate himself/herself from the family of origin is the basis for Bowen’s family systems theory. In addition, the primary focus for growth within the emotional system is differentiation of self.
After that, the counselor must identify the situation of the problem and the way the family perceives the problem, for example, are the children more concerned about the family issues than the parents (Horne, 2000). Structural family therapy is both relational and observational approaches, this approach works with the family systematically. And, through the structural family therapy approach, family members are a whole system, which is largely affected by other family member as well as the environment in which they live. With this, the therapy emphasis restructuralization of the family normal destructive habits and help them improve their ability to handle every day stress and disagreement and try to help them transform
Family Systems Therapy focuses on communication within the family. It reflects on both verbal and nonverbal. Problems in the system are likely to past on from generation to generation. Key concepts vary depending on the situation but can include differentiation, triangles, power coalitions, family-of-origin dynamics, functional versus dysfunctional interaction patterns, and dealing the here and now. (Corey, 2013)
According to Carver and Scheier (2008), Psychodynamic Theory is a perspective in psychology that suggests “personality is a dynamic set of processes, always in motion. They sometimes work in harmony with one another and sometimes against one another, but they are never still (pg. 158).” The implication most commonly associated with Psychodynamic Theory is that since these processes are always in action, forces wrestle with each other, creating conflict within the self. Another implication of this theory is that the unconscious mind plays a prominent role in determining personality. The conflicts that occur among elements of personality usually do so outside of consciousness.
The driving force behind this theory is that all experiences are internalized and influence the ongoing actions of every individual. The relationship between unconscious and conscious drives is vital to understand, because this is what motivates behavior according to Freud. This theory is a social construction, just as all theories are, of Freud’s own experiences. It is important to understand this, and to take the good with the
The psychodynamic approach lends itself to being a controversial yet highly influential theory in the history of psychology. The theory has become one of the most significant psychological approaches and its originator, Sigmund Freud, has become a major influence in modern psychology. The psychodynamic approach largely focuses on motivation and past experiences which develop and individual’s personality. Freud used the iceberg metaphor to outline the three states of consciousness and argued that only twenty percent of the mind represents the conscious. In addition he theorised that there was a pre-conscious mind which represents general memory. Finally, the unconscious mind which is essentially the reservoir of repressed or hidden experiences and desire.
He developed his theory with the idea that it would be beneficial for people in therapy who have a difficult time dealing with behaviors and maintaining relationships within their family unit (admin, 2016). The main focus of many therapists is to help individuals to cope within their family and give them better strategical ways of ensuring that the family stays together. Unlike other systems theory, Family Systems Theory seems to be the head start for other systems theory. In addition, ealing with the family as a unit helps to figure out the underlying issues for the presenting problems (admin, 2016). Bowen introduced the eight interlocking concepts of Family Systems Theory and how they work together in order to be successful. The different concepts include differentiation of self, emotional triangle, the family projection process, the multigenerational transmission process, emotional cutoff, systems cutoff, social emotional process, and nuclear family emotional
Every interpersonal relationship has its setbacks and imbalances, whether they are based on friendship, intimacy or family relationships. Family is the broader constellation that includes children, relatives and assorted significant others (DeVito, 2014). When a relationship is out of proper dynamics it becomes a dysfunctional unit. In a family structure there are a variety of dysfunctions or factors that can cause a break down in the dynamics of the family. In many family settings, members try to get along as a functioning unit which may refer to a high conformity family. In contrast families with conflict are in the category of low conformity and are likely to be much less harmonious than the high conformity family (DeVito, 2014). An explanation for a family or interpersonal relationships becoming dysfunctional depends on many factors. Dysfunctional
Structural family therapy theory and techniques can be found in many facets in therapy. Structural family therapy looks at the family’s systems and boundaries as a whole; as well as, each member’s systems and boundaries in the family. After identifying the systems and boundaries, structural mapping, techniques are used to help address a family’s problems. Techniques such as enactment, boundary making, and joining, are used to strengthen and develop healthy boundaries; as well as, end or weaken boundaries that may try to cause triangulation, negative coalitions, or negative boundaries that affect the family. Also how effective structural family therapy can be for different situations.
Psychodynamics is a part of study in the subject of psychology, that deals with how psychologic forces or energy that underlies human emotions and feelings may affect an individual’s personality or behavior. This psychologic energy may have resulted from modern day experiences or events that happened in our earlier life. These experiences may have unconsciously been stored in our brain or they must have been a form of repression (Repression
It has been shown in many statistics in the United States that family structure contributes directly and indirectly to certain characteristics of a child’s overall well-being. Family dynamics are the interaction between family members, as well as the relationships that exist within a family (“Understanding Family Dynamics”). The development of a child is impacted by the experiences he or she faces throughout childhood. For example, if a child feels safe and secure within their own family, he or she will begin to develop a strong form of self-esteem. A family is better defined by what the people in them do for each other rather than the stereotype based on the members that make up a family.