Week 2: Psychodynamic Theories
The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases.
—Carl Jung, Modern Man in Search of a Soul
Although more than a century has passed since Freud began using the term psychoanalysis, his work remains a seminal piece in the psychotherapy field. However, as you have undoubtedly encountered in your professional and personal life, no idea, process, or person is perfect. Furthermore, interventions that meet the needs of one individual might ultimately fail when used with another. Just as values, ideas, and living standards evolve, so do the theories that counselors apply. Although many theories, such as Freud’s psychoanalysis, may seem outdated today, you will see how many of the constructs from these early theories are foundational to theories that have evolved and been developed since the early 1900s and how many are still relevant today.
This week, you consider psychodynamic theories, watch a media presentation of Adlerian therapy, and apply the Adlerian approach to one of four case studies that you will use throughout the term.
Before moving forward this week, it is important to note that many of the required videos are each almost 2hours long. Please plan your time accordingly so that you can watch them before the Day 3 Discussion deadline. You will find that each video required this term provides a demonstration of a particular theory by an expert in that theory. These seminal videos provide valuable insight into each theory. The videos take you beyond the textbook and enhance your learning by providing you the opportunity to see the unique language and approaches of each theory “in action.”
Learning Objectives
Students will:
· Identify theorists, timeframes, and major constructs of individual theories
· Analyze techniques/interventions associated with individual theories
· Evaluate theories in relation to cases
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Johnson, A. L. (2016). Psychoanalytic theory. In D. Capuzzi & M. D. Stauffer (Eds.), Counseling and psychotherapy: Theories and interventions (6th ed., pp. 73–96). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association. (Chapter 3)
Nelson, K., & Finn, A. (2016). Jungian analytical theory. In D. Capuzzi & M. D. Stauffer (Eds.), Counseling and psychotherapy: Theories and interventions (6th ed., pp. 97–120). Alexandria, VA: Am. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association. (Chapter 4)
Dufrene, R.L., Henderson, K.L., & Eckart, E.C. (2016). Adlerian theory. In D. Capuzzi & M. D. Stauffer (Eds.), Counseling and psychotherapy: Theories and interventions (6th ed., pp. 121–146). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association. (Chapter 5)
Document: Psychoanalytic Case Conceptualization Example (Word document)
Document: Case Studies (Word document)
Required Media
Psychotherapy.net (Producer). (2008a). Adlerian therapy [Video file]. Mill Valley, CA: Author.
Optional Resources
Psychoanalytic Theory & Approaches. (n.d.). Retrieved January 3, 2018, from http://www.apsa.org/content/psychoanalytic-theory-approaches
Psychoanalytic Terms & Concepts Defined. (n.d.). Retrieved January 3, 2018, from http://www.apsa.org/content/psychoanalytic-terms-concepts-defined
About Psychoanalysis. (n.d.). Retrieved January 3, 2018, from http://www.apsa.org/content/about-psychoanalysis
Discussion: Adlerian Counseling: Case Conceptualization
For this Discussion, you will write a case conceptualization as though you were an Adlerian counselor. A case conceptualization is a report that is written by a counselor to explain presenting problems, establish goals, plan interventions, and identify expected outcomes.
In your Learning Resources, the Psychoanalytic Case Conceptualization Example examines the case of Deidre through a Psychoanalytic lens. For this week’s Discussion, you will use the Psychoanalytic example as a guide to write your own case conceptualization as though you were an Adlerian counselor.
As you review this week’s Learning Resources and media file, note techniques and interventions, and consider the role of an Adlerian counselor in planning treatment. Further, reflect on Adlerian therapy with respect to developing your own theoretical orientation. In what ways do you find that Adlerian therapy may resonate with your own point of view?
To Prepare:
· Review the Adlerian Therapy video from this week’s Learning Resources. Take note of language and techniques used by the counselor that are specific to this theory.
· Review the Psychoanalytic Case Conceptualization Example found in this week’s Learning Resources and use this document to prepare your initial Discussion post.
· Select one of the four case studies presented in this week’s Learning Resources and answer the following points as if you were an Adlerian counselor. Use your Learning Resources and the notes you took on language and technique from the Adlerian Therapy video to support your conceptualization and integrate examples from the case to support your post. Include the following:
· Presenting Problem
· Treatment Goals
· Identification and explanation of at least two techniques and interventions
· Expected Outcome
By Day 3
Post your Adlerian conceptualization.
Be sure to support your main post with specific references to the Learning Resources using proper APA format and citations. Your response posts may be more conversational and less formal.
Read your colleagues’ postings.
By Day 5
Respond to at least two of your colleagues’ posts and explain whether you believe the proposed Adlerian case conceptualization is the most beneficial for the case selected and why.
Your responses may be more informal than your main post.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights that you have gained as a result of your colleagues’ comments.
Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 2 Discussion Rubric
Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 5
To participate in this Discussion:
Week 2 Discussion
Week in Review
This week, you identified and analyzed techniques and interventions associated with psychodynamic theory and applied these strategies to a clinical case.
Next week, you will continue to explore individual theories of counseling by learning about humanistic theories and the approaches that are used to initiate change in clients’ lives.
To go to the next week:
