Psychoanalysis and Family Therapy - Essay Example

Psychoanalysis and Family Therapy A paper presented by To The Department of [department In partial fulfillment of the requirements For the degree [degree name] [university name] [month and year of submission] ABSTRACT: Family therapy and psychoanalysis are two of the most renowned psychiatric methodologies applied today. Psychoanalysis has been one of the favorites since the time that Freud introduced it, however, the family therapy is somewhat of a recent phenomena that has risen in the past few years. Both these fields have progressed tremendously since the time of their inception. Below is a paper highlighting some of the developments and ideologies related to these two therapies. PSYCHOANALYSIS AND FAMILY THERAPY Psychiatric evaluation and treatments all have undergone constant changes and shifts in the series of concepts. While psychology may be one of the oldest learned sciences, it remains still one that is shrouded in darkness and mystery. In the past, psychiatry was chiefly being carried out with the help of theories, ideologies and concepts with no idea about their true depth. The evolution of this field led to a world of revolutions and proposals. Some claimed that there is the role of biological factors while others blamed on the environmental factors etc. The complications in the treatment of various mental disorders are still lagging behind due to many reasons. There is still much to be learned about the efficacy of various treatment strategies that have been introduced in the field of psychology. More structured information needs to be made in order to achieve better results (Fonagy, 2004, p. 357). Psychoanalysis has been identified as one of the most efficient method of assessing various personality types and disorders. An invention of Freud, this methodology has been able to provide an alternative to hypnosis, a once very popular method of psyche assessment. Through in depth assessment of the person through verbal and symbolic communications, the psychiatrist is able to identify issues that are affecting the person (Fonagy, 2004, p. 357). Freud has aptly described psychoanalysis as being directly linked to the physiology of the human. He states: “the deficiencies in our description would probably vanish if we were already in a position to replace the psychological terms with physiological or chemical ones…..we may expect [physiology and chemistry] to give the most surprising information and we cannot guess what answers it will return in a few dozen years of questions we have put to it. They may be of a kind that will blow away the whole of our artificial structure of hypothesis.” (Freud, 1920, pp 60). Psychoanalysis has been identified as one of the most effective methods in psychiatric treatments, and has been widely accepted in many health care systems of the world (Hau and Leuzinger- Bohleber, nd, pp 4). Many names have been given to this treatment. It has been recognized as analytic psychotherapy, depth psychology based psychotherapy etc., but works on the same principle of conflict-centered approach (Hau and Leuzinger- Bohleber, nd, pp 4). One of the most important challenges faced in the psychoanalysis is the lack of proper evidence regarding its efficacy, as most of the research has been carried out in controlled settings or under laboratory conditions. To this argument, it was proposed that proper guidelines should be made in all health care systems regarding approach to psychoanalysis (Hau and Leuzinger- Bohleber, nd, pp 9). There are however certain facts that have been established regarding psychoanalysis and how it operates. “ All psychoanalytic theories agree on the central significance of the unconscious in the functioning of the healthy personality and in psychological illnesses” (Hau and Leuzinger- Bohleber, nd, pp 13). Through this method the main cause of mental pathology is identified and eliminated, most of which is some sort of unconscious conflict. This conflict can take place at any age, and therefore, its applicability is present for all ages. Since it is an unconscious problem, the patient may not be aware of it, and will require the help of a psychiatrist in revealing it (Hau and Leuzinger- Bohleber, nd, pp 13). The technique is defined as follows: “The technique seeks to work through biographically based pathogenic unconscious conflicts and pathological disorders of personality development in a therapeutic relationship, giving particular consideration to transference, counter transference and resistance” (Hau and Leuzinger- Bohleber, nd, pp 24). This method utilizes many techniques of applications that can be applied according to the need of the particular case. These techniques include analytic individual psychotherapy, analytic group psychotherapy, psychodynamic or depth psychology based individual and group psychotherapy, analytic couples and family therapy, inpatient psychodynamic psychotherapy, analytic child and adolescent psychotherapy of individual or group, and depth psychology based child and adolescent psychotherapy (Hau and Leuzinger- Bohleber, nd,pp 24, 25) The relation between psychoanalysis and cognitive science is another more clearly ther relatively newer area of research which is proving successful in establishing correlations. This may help identify clearly some of the questions in psychoanalysis that have remained elusive till date (Kandell, 1999, 507). When carried out for an individual, the psychiatrist focuses on the unconscious problems of the individual under study. However, the group sessions aim to identify psychological conflicts and problems that take place within families or other such groups. Both of these methods however aim to eliminate the cause of conflict. Although in the initial stages it was claimed to be a very important help in the psychoanalysis and psychology. However some time later, it was accepted that this form had provided what it had to offer, and was not able to provide concrete scientific evidence of its being although being successful (Kandell, 1999, 508, 509). The method now understands the important role of conscious thought and experiences in the pathophysiology and patho psychology of many mental illnesses. Therefore, it is about time that biology and psychiatry should be combined together to yield more significant results (Kandell, 1999, 510). Psychoanalysis is at least realizing some of the dreams of Freud, who had high expectations of the field. For example, psychoanalysis is now becoming a more practical field, and the theoretical models now can be assessed, experimented and analyzed. This was not probable in the past, and this was a major limitation in the field of psychiatry for a long time. The organic component of psychoanalysis has finally begun to emerge with the help of physiology, and biological sciences. But this is the scientific application that is more research-oriented application. Psychoanalysis has now shifted towards becoming a more socially active domain, where its potential role is being experimented (Chamberlin, 2005). This changed many things for the field. Firstly, this means that the research of the future must also take into consideration the social elements and factors as well that help shape or contribute to the various pathologies. Secondly, the psychotherapist is now not just a lonesome figure sitting in the corner office where only mentally ill arrives. Rather he now has a more social, active and dynamic role to play in the society and to help derive methods that aid in collective improvement of the psyche. Therefore, perhaps for the very first time, the psychologists have a very central and contributing role in the improvement of the collective psyche of the individuals before any mental illnesses develop, rather than dealing only with cases in the after math (Chamberlin, 2005). This new role also improves the approachability of the psychiatrist to the public, and will help in removing the taboo that is usually associated with visiting the psychiatrist. This does not mean that psychoanalysis is at its zenith. Rather it points to the beginnings of the new era in the field of psychiatry and especially psychoanalysis (Chamberlin, 2005). FAMILY THERAPY AND HOW PSYCHOANALYSIS WORKS IN FAMILY THERAPIES Family therapy is a relatively recent phenomenon in the field of psychology that took place with the efforts of Gregory Bateson in 1972. He introduced the concept of cybernetics, structural, strategic and early Milan in nature. He believed that family members essentially live in a world of constructions, where as the psychiatrists retain a very objective approach towards the patients. The psychiatrist may have a psychological hold or power on the family persons seeking treatment, as they are able to see things from a “superior or more objective perspective” than the members. This again leaves out the mental construction formed in the mind of the family members, thus leading to a somewhat less than optimal result (Pocock, 1998). Family therapies are somewhat complicated procedures when compared to individual patients as there are more variations and dimensions to a family as compared to assessing an individual alone. Key areas of concern in family therapies include family rules and structures, redundant patterns in family interactions, contexts etc. Therefore, any form of intervention etc. is based on identification of the particular need of each family and how the family will respond to it. Many more evolutions have taken place in the family therapy approaches and systems. Feminism became a very widely discussed issue in family therapies in the 1980s. But the concept of constructivist epistemology was a very significant step, which particularly also included the therapists as well. This novel concept for the first time let down the barriers that were formed between the patients and the therapist over the superiority of knowledge etc. The comfort zone was taken away from the psychiatrist, who must now be an active role player in the treatment strategy. Therefore, family therapy changed from a passive observer relation to a more active and dynamic suggestive role for the psychiatrist (Pocock, 1998). Psychotherapies identify the role of various intimate relationships that shape our behaviors and our approach to other people. The roles of parents and siblings and the relations between the child and parent have a very significant effect on the psyche of the child. Therefore, many of the psychiatric problems of individuals may require group therapy of the family as well (Hau and Leuzinger- Bohleber, nd, pp 29). Many of the initial attempts and family therapy were aimed to make it a part of therapy in other psychiatric treatments, such as psychoanalysis. However, this mode of thought has not been entirely helpful. On the one hand it has not been able to provide the psychiatrist with proper tools or methods towards psychoanalytic assessment of the whole group of family, which mostly is comprised of various age groups and roles. But on the other hand it has been able to give clues as to how these obstacles can be overcome to achieve better outcomes and results in both these areas when conducted separately. Therefore, many of the researchers claim that there is need to understand each treatment separately, which will in turn provide a better ground towards understanding the other therapy with the help of the first (Gerson, 1996). There are however, with the evolution of this field, the emergences of distinct areas in family psychoanalysis as well. With the works of famous psychoanalysts such as Bowen and Whitaker, there has been an emergence of new concepts. These also include, among others, extended family systems theories, experiential family therapy, structural family therapy and strategic family therapy respectively (Gerson, 1996). Since many of the conflicts arise in the age of adolescents, it is also a time where many complications of self and health can take place in the adolescent. This time is perhaps the most crucial where family therapy can provide some hope. Behavioral Family Systems Therapy or the BFST is one of the most commonly applied theoretical models of family therapy used (Harris et al, 2005, pp 687). With the help of conflict and problem solving, the family therapy aims to improve the communication skills of both parties, as well as to help them look into other perspectives and other people’s points of views. The four main areas involved are training in problem solving and conflict resolution, family communication skills training, cognitive restructuring to address cognitive disorders, and systemic family therapy to modify structural anomalies (Harris et al, 2005, pp 687). Proper follow up and continuation of these programs ensure that there will be better results than isolated psychiatric sessions alone for the patient, especially those who are adolescents or where the family patterns may be disrupted (Harris et al, 2005, pp 687). Family is among the primary social orders in any society, and the most important clan or social structure for any human being belonging to the group. There are many methods that have been accepted as a very good communication tool between children and adolescents. With the help of professional assessment and top psychiatrists, the family therapy systems are some of the most effective methods in improving the quality of life between the family members (Chamberlin, 2005). Family therapy does not necessarily mean that the family is suffering from a psychiatric patient. Rather, it has found its application in all those areas where family disputes and disturbances may be affecting relationships and performance of the individuals. Homeless adults also come into this category, who may have suffered in the hands of family relations. In this regard, these individuals may be retentive of many negative emotions that could not be corrected without proper expression and without guidance as to how to deal with them. Family therapes and psychoanalysis in this matter help to uncover some of the deeper issues that may be rooted in the psyche and in this light, the psychiatrist is able to determine the course of action for the person’s psychological treatment (Chamberlin, 2005). Other applications can include trauma victims or those elderly people who have suffered from elderly abuse situations. With the help of various other psychiatric specialists, the family therapy and psychoanalysis can be a very good method for treating patients with deep psychological wounds and confusions (Chamberlin, 2005). This social constructionism is one of the most extensively debated ideals that have taken root in modern psychology. Contributions of Foucault, Derrida and Lyotard have been significant in changing the pattern and method via which a therapist approaches the family therapy. Foucalt gave a very apt view in this regard. He stated that “individuals internalize the social attitudes (discourses) that powerfully define who people are and how they should live their lives” (Pocock, 1998). Other contributions to the theories of family therapy are the structuralism and the non-structuralism theories. These approaches and theories have grown extensively for some time, and continue to do so, but the main emphasis is on the dynamic nature of the family therapy and how it has become one of the most significant therapies in the modern psychology (Pocock, 1998). CONCLUSION Psychoanalysis has been a forerunner in many of the therapy modalities for psychiatric patients with good success. Although there are theoretical models that prevail in this method, the need for biological and factual methods to verify various theories has been in demand since the time of Freud himself. Therefore, now the current psychoanalysis and research is built around creating calculated models that have more practical basis rather than relying on theoretical models only. These and other such findings will help in improving the field as well as creating new ideas and methods to help in gaining better results. The family therapy is a relatively new field but has gained widespread acceptance as one of the principle methods of psychiatry. These therapies have found a more social context, which has taken place at a very apt time. Psychiatry now needs to reinvent itself as the social science that it is, and not only a science for the mentally ill. Family therapy can ensure that this will take place. WORKS CITED Chamberlin J, 2005. ‘Not Your Parents’ Psychoanalysis, A Closer Look at Division 39’ Monitor on Psychology Vol. 36, October 2005. Fonagy P, 2004. ‘Psychotherapy Meets Neuroscience, A More Focused Future for Pschotherapy Research’. Psychiatric Bulletin vol. 28, pp. 357-359. Freud S: ‘Beyond the Pleasure Principle (1920)’ in Complete Psychological Works, standard ed, vol 18. London Hogarth Press, 1955, pp 7-64. Gerson M J, 1996. The Embedded Self: A Psychoanalytic Guide to Family Therapy. Hillsdale, NJ; Analytic. Harris M A, Harris B H and Mertlich D, 2005.’Brief Report: In Home Family Therapy for Adolescents with Poorly Controlled Diabetes: Failure to Maintain Benefits at 6 Month Follow Up’ Journal of Pediatric Psychology vol. 30, no. 8, pp. 683-688. Stephen Hau and Marianne Leuzinger- Bohleber, nd. Psychoanalytic Therapy. Position paper by German Society for Psychoanalysis, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Depth Psychology Eric R. Kandell, 1999. ‘Biology and the Future of Psychoanalysis: A New Intellectual Framework for Psychiatry Revisited’ American Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 156, pp. 505-524, April 1999. Pocock D, 1998. ‘Stories About Knowing a View from Family Therapy’ Gestalt, vol 2, ISSN 1091-1766. Available at http://www.g-gej.org/2-1/knowing.html, accessed 2nd Nov. 2008. Read More