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Counselling Skills
Psychodynamic theory
Due to the complexity of counselling, there are many different approaches to
supporting a client through the counselling process. This can depend on the style
of additional support used or the individual exercises and teachings a counsellor
demonstrates during the one-to-one counselling sessions. Psychodynamic theory is
the basis for the psychodynamic method or approach to the counselling relationship
and is derived from psychoanalysis.
Q. What is psychoanalysis?
A. Psychoanalysis is a system of psychological theory and therapy that aims
to treat mental disorders by investigating the interaction of conscious and
unconscious elements in the mind, and bringing repressed fears and conflicts
into the conscious mind.
Q. What is the difference between psychoanalysis and psychodynamic counselling?
A. The main difference is that psychoanalysis deals with the unconscious mind and
the past, while psychodynamic counselling takes account of the unconscious,
but deals more with the conscious mind and the present or recent past, and how
to live without problems in the future.
Whilst there is this difference, it does not mean that counselling can ignore a client’s
past – nevertheless, psychodynamic counselling is not the same as psychoanalysis.
Here is a definition of psychodynamic counselling theory:
Definition
‘Psychodynamic counselling is based on the theory that there is an
interrelationship between unconscious and conscious mental forces that
determines personality and motivation.’
Source: Oxford English Dictionary (OED)
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