Psychoanalytic Psychodynamic Theories

1. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Psychoanalytic & Psychodynamic Theories Theories of Personality Louis Hoffman, PhD Colorado School of Professional Psychology

2. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Freud Freud & Change Freud at different points of his career Freud became less rigid in his interpretation of his theory over time Terms became more symbolic Adding in additional components to his theory Death Instinct, for example Remained resistant to others changing his theory

3. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Freud�s Major Ideas The Unconscious Not the discoverer, but the mapper Unconscious, Conscious, & Preconscious Unconscious more powerful & determinant than conscious or preconscious (not wise, however; that would come with Jung) Psychic Determinism Nothing is accidental Biological & Personal History Instincts & Impulses Impulse: Perceived pressure for action or an action for which the cause is not conscious (at least initially) Instinct is similar, but more narrow and biologically determined

4. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Freud�s Major Ideas Libido Energy (not just sexual!!) Comes from: Life Instinct/Sex Drive Death Instinct (later development) Cathexis � how libidinal energy is attached to an object (person, idea, etc.) Catharsis � release of energy

5. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Freud�s Major Ideas Id Is there at birth Biological source of energy/libido Irrational, impulsive, & focused on drive reduction Seeks pleasure & reduction of pain/discomfort Hedonistic Common Descriptors: Uncontained, repressed,

6. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Freud�s Major Ideas Ego Develops second It aware of environment & consciousness Rational, able to plan, tries to balance Tries to lower tension, but more rationally than just drive gratification Controls libido, drives, & behaviors Common Descriptors Healthy, weak, undeveloped, strong

7. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Freud�s Major Ideas Superego Develops last Internalized judge or conscious Helps form ideals, values, & morals Observes the self Contains or redirects libidinal energy Common Descriptors Weak, harsh, undeveloped, punitive

8. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Freud�s Major Ideas Dreams �Royal road to the unconscious� Dream symbols Some universal tendencies Yet, �Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar� Levels of dream Manifest � surfaces, least meaning Latent � symbolic, deeper meaning, may be multiple meanings (Langs)

9. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Freud�s Major Ideas Psychosexual stages Won�t go through these Contrary to what may be deduced from many Personality Theory text books, these are not given a lot of credence anymore by many psychoanalytic and psychodynamic thinkers Can be come fixated at any stage Oral fixation, anal fixation Example: Being anal or anal retentive related to excessive orderliness

10. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Defense Mechanisms Based on Freud�s ideas Developed and labeled more by Anna Freud Terminology often used differently by different psychoanalytic theorists Some new defense mechanisms created over time

11. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Misconceptions of Freud Two major causes for the misconceptions Freud�s changes in his theory Interpreting the symbolic as literal Freud was not all about sex! Sex should be interpreted symbolically, especially in his later writings Freud�s theory is not the same as the Freudians They tended to take a more rigid, literal approach

12. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Some Limitations of Freud Didn�t take feedback well; authoritarian Wasn�t always clear about changes in his theory Was sexist and took a very negative view of women

13. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Significant Dissenters of Freud Jung Freud�s death anxiety Jung objected to narrowness & sexual focus Wisdom of the Unconscious Adler Concern about rigidity & intolerance of other ideas led to break Shared concern in the narrowness of Freud�s theory Rank Presented The Trauma of Birth as birthday gift to Freud Later kicked out of Freud�s circle for unorthodox interpretations & ideas

14. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic Theory These terms often used interchangeably Psychoanalytic Often refers to more orthodox approaches Generally more in-depth focus on self-awareness & more intensive process Multiple times a week for long period of time Psychodynamic Often less orthodox, more flexible, & more open to integrating other ideas Still focused on self-awareness & growth More focused treatment; 1-2 times per week & sometimes not as long of treatment

15. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Overview of Psychoanalytic Traditions Three Major Traditions Model 1: Classical Psychoanalysis/Freudian Psychoanalysis/Drive Model Model 2: Developmental Arrest/Structural Deficit Models Model 3: Relational Psychoanalysis & Psychotherapy/Relational Deficit

16. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Model 1 Assumptions Note: Model 1 is not just Freud Greater emphasis on the therapist as objective knower Knowing occurs through: Dream interpretation Process interpretation (free association) Transference interpretation Application of theory (psychosexual stages, etc.) Still not employed even by many of the more orthodox contemporary Freudians

17. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Model 1 Assumptions Therapist as a blank slate Prevents distortions of transference Personality a product of biology & early experience. Personality established at a young age Pathology from drive & structural conflicts

18. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Model 2 Assumptions Variation between ego psychology, self psychology, & object relations Greater emphasis on the subjective experience of client; less on objective experience of therapist More emphasis on personality as product of interpersonal relations Still seen as determined early in life Pathology emerges from unresolved relational issues

19. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Model 2 Assumptions Object Relations Structural Deficit created by presence of bad All parents harm their children These create structural deficits Often leads to repeating hurtful patterns Clich�: �She/he keeps seeking out the same abusive patterns she/he had with dad/mom.�

20. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Model 2 Assumptions Self Psychology Structural deficit created by the absence of good All parents fail their children Importance placed on empathetic failures People develop patterns of seeking to get needs met which were not met in childhood Clich�: �He/she is still trying to win daddy�s love� (or mommy�s love)

21. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Model 2 Assumptions M1 healing through insight; M2 through experience Corrective Emotional Experience (object relations) Experience of Empathy (self psychology) M1 emphasis on therapist�s objective knowing; M2 on client�s subjective knowing

22. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Model 3 Assumptions Referred to as: Contemporary Psychoanalysis Umbrella name Relational Psychoanalysis or Psychotherapy Mitchell, Arons, Stark Social Constructive Psychotherapy Irvin Hoffman Intersubjective Psychotherapy Stolorow, Orange, Atwood

23. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Model 3 Assumptions Emphasis on the intersubjective process Dialectical process Knowing & conceptualizing occurs between therapist & client�s subjective experiences Knowing occurs relationally Personality develops largely relationally Still emphasizes past Conceptualizes personality as developing across the lifespan

24. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Model 3 Assumptions Healing occurs through corrective relational experience Genuineness emphasized Therapist�s engagement in the process Empathy also, but seen as limited Pathology primarily from unmet relational needs and relational deficits

25. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Model 3 Innovations New conception of transference/countertransference Process not limited to the past Contemporary relationships also impact Better distinguishes types of transference & countertransference

26. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Types of Transference & Countertransference in Contemporary Psychoanalysis Subjective Transference Client�s contributions to the transference process Client�s pathology Objective Transference Therapist�s contributions to the transference process Client�s interpretation of the therapist, therapist�s pathology Subjective Countertransference Therapists contributions to the countertransference process Therapists distortions or pathology Objective Countertransference Client�s contributions to the countertransference Based upon the therapists response to the actual client

27. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Model 3 Innovations M1 & M2 believe most of relationship is transference, countertransference, & projection; M3 more optimistic about genuine engagement M1 & M2 focus primarily on past; M3 focuses more on here-&-now M3 believes one continues to grow, develop, & change; M1 & M2 less optimistic about degree of change

28. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 The Intersubjective or Relational Context Everything occurs in an intersubjective context Trauma Example: From Chapter 4 of Context of Being: The Intersubjective Foundations of Psychological Life by Robert D. Stolorow & George E. Atwood �the intolerability of an affect state cannot be explained solely, or even primarily, on the basis of the quantity or intensity of the painful feelings evoked by the injurious event� (p. 52) �affect states must be understood in terms of the relational system in which they [initially] take form� (pp. 52-53) �trauma originates within a formative intersubjective context whose central feature is a failure of affect attunement� (p. 53) �pain is not pathology� (p. 54)

29. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 The Intersubjective Context Pain is not pathology, it is relational All pathology has roots in relational processes This relationship is not necessarily just with actual people This is an essential difference between existential psychotherapy Existential therapy will state there is nearly always a relational component, but refuses to take this as far in frequency or degree as contemporary psychoanalysis. Frequency � some pathology is non-relations Degree � it�s not just relational; it is almost always exacerbated by intrapersonal processes

30. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 The Intersubjective Context Return to Trauma Example: Trauma is preceded by a painful event However, trauma is not the event, but the response to the event If the painful event is regulated & processed in a healthy manner, long-term consequences are not as severe As such� A intense painful event can be properly regulated & processed, leading to minimal consequences A painful event that is less intense can be ignored & not regulated leading to more long-term consequences

31. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 The Intersubjective Context Resiliency Emerges from an interpersonal context Children that are assisted in learning to regulate & process pain are more resilient Children who do not learn to regulate & process pain are less resilient Resiliency for some develops from a sibling, friends, or other adult who helps the child regulate

32. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 The Interpersonal Context Parenting Implications: The parents job is not to protect the child from painful experiences Rather, the parents job is to help the child regulate & process painful experiences This requires the parents to be strong enough to allow their child to be hurt Parents must also be able to tolerate the pain of their child If parents have not learn to regulate & process their own pain, they will be unable to assist the child Even if they dearly love their child & are excellent parents in most other respects

33. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Essential Personality Personality is interpersonal Essential personality is displayed in relational cycles or cyclic patterns These patterns are re-enacted in most or all relationships � including therapy Relational patterns are not changed through education or changing the understanding or meaning of the pattern (cognitions) Rather, deeper changes must have an experiential (relational) process to go with it

34. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Essential Personality Personality is adaptive, at least before becoming maladaptive Most patterns in their initial development helped the individual survive In understanding personality, it can be helpful to ask: �How could this process have been helpful at one point and time?�

35. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Essential Personality Personality is intersubjective This means several things: The personality is always different to the individual and the observer It is enacted in the �in-betweens�

36. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Levels of Consciousness 3 Levels: Unconscious Preconscious Conscious All levels contribute to behavior and to the personality

37. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Levels of Communication & Understanding This is greatly collaborated with attachment theory & research Levels of Understanding � At Least 3: Sub-symbolic (largely unconscious) This is a good deal of our visceral understandings May also contribute to intuition It�s a way of understanding which does not use the symbols of communication we usually think of Pre-symbolic (compare to the preconscious) This level can easily be translated to symbols, but is not there yet Symbolic This is the conscious & rational level we often view as the self or personality

38. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Levels of Communication & Understanding All 3 levels again contribute to personality, understanding, and behavior All 3 are also implicated in communication processes

39. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Case Conceptualization:Model 1: Classical Psychoanalysis Psychosexual Stages Id, Ego, Superego Defense Mechanisms Primary focus on protection of the self; intrapersonal Transference

40. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Case Conceptualization:Model 2: Self Psych/Object Relations Defense Mechanisms Primary focus on protecting self relationally Developmental Issues: Relational Transference Presence of Bad Absence of Good Relationship Patterns

41. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Case Conceptualization:Model 3: Contemporary Psychoanalysis Defense Mechanisms Primary focus relational Developmental Issues: Relational Transference/Countertransference Relationship Patterns Breaking Cyclical Relationship Patterns Identifying Patterns which Limit Genuine & Authentic Relationships

42. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Case Conceptualization: General Considerations Additional Case Conceptualization Issues Considered Across Psychodynamic Models: What cannot be changed (i.e., genetic issues, medical issues, head trauma, physical limitations, personal history, life circumstances) Self-Esteem Issues Pathogenic Beliefs Religious/Spiritual Issues Cultural Issues

43. Copyright, Louis Hoffman, PhD, 2006 Case Conceptualization: Pulling it Together Current Problem (History & Current Manifestations) Medical/Biological Issues Developmental Issues Defense Mechanisms Transference/Countertransference Absence of Good/Presence of Bad Relationship Issues Cyclical Patterns Genuineness/Authenticity Pathogenic Beliefs Religious/Spiritual Issues Cultural Issues Relationship Between Problems Treatment Issues