Freudian Psychoanalysis and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - Essay Example

? Compare and contrast the main principles in Freudian psychoanalysis and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-CBT “Every theory has a locus of explanation”(Moorey, 2010, p.206). When it comes to psychoanalysis, it is the interplay between conscious and unconscious happenings and the way they manifest themselves in everyday life and influence an individual’s behaviours, thus relationships. Whereas in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, it is the way in which an individual’s beliefs and thoughts affects his behaviours and feelings (Moorey, 2010, p.206).Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-CBT and Freudian psychoanalytic therapy have some commonalities and some point of departure. This paper tries to compare and contrast Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-CBT and Freudian psychoanalytic therapy in a brief manner. Sigmund Freud worked on inventing Tiefenpsychologie-depth psychology, and worked on perfecting his psychoanalysis theories for about fifty years. While many of his cases turned out to be scientifically unstable or even flawed (Cioffi and Borger, 1970), his principles still influenced modern-day therapy (Wollheim, 1992). Psychoanalysis is slow, time consuming, and costly approach. In comparison to Freudian psychoanalysis, CBT is quite fast and result oriented. The patient can work on changing his thinking and not only get results but also save time and energies (Rabson, 2012). Both approaches share some similar grounds and some major differences in their principles and way of dealing with the disorder. In modern therapy, numerous therapists are working with both therapies depending on patient’s needs in order to reap the maximum benefit. Both CBT and psychoanalytic therapies try to identify common themes in patient’s emotional reactions, narratives, and imagery. A major difference in the basic principles of these two theories is that in cognitive therapy, the therapist relies on the information that is readily available for conscious interpretation, whereas in psychoanalytic therapies, therapist emphasizes on identifying unconscious or repressed information that must be inferred. Despite this basic difference, both CBT and psychoanalytic therapist hold that patient’s behaviour can be influenced by beliefs which they are not aware of at that time (Jones-Smith, 2012, p.165). Cognitive therapists believe that thoughts and ideas that lead to a person’s psychological distress are not deeply buried in their unconscious (A. T. Beck and Weishaar, 2005 cited in Jones-Smith, 2012, p.165). Second comparative difference between CBT and psychoanalysis therapy is that CBT stresses the associations among patient’s symptoms, their conscious thoughts, and present experiences. On the other hand, psychoanalytic therapy emphasizes on revealing repressed childhood memories and biological constructs, for instance, infantile sexuality and libidinal needs (Jones-Smith, 2012, p.165). Miltion (2001) stresses that CBT’s failure to focus on the past associations and what it might reveal about deeper enduring objects relations is its ultimate limitation in comparison to psychoanalysis(Cited in Moorey, 2010,p.200). On the other hand, cognitive behaviour therapists consider it an edge of CBT that it let them treat the patient at a level that is appropriate for the disorder being treated and patient’s needs and constraints. Numerous disorders can be treated by adopting maintenance model that identifies how the patient’s thoughts are guiding him to misinterpret situation in the present, and how these perceptions are leading him to behave in certain ways that sustain the conflict. For instance, in depression patients, they usually hold a belief that they are going to fail. Such beliefs lead them to withdraw or give up. This perception stops them from having success and enjoying the good mood that comes with it (Moorey, 2010, p.200). Research evidence proves that behavioural activation might treat acute depression in addition to preventing relapse (Jacobson et al., 1996 cited in Moorey, 2010, p.201). However, chronic depression can be different since it is often associated with abuse or neglect in early childhood and highlights the presence of certain interpersonal issues (Riso et al., 2007 cited in Moorey, 2010, p.201). Therefore, it becomes crucial to address relationship issues associated with one’s core beliefs about self and others.CBT offers a flexibility to work at the level of past relationship and its influences on patient’s perception, however, if a patient maintains a sufficient healthy functioning to engage collaboratively in problem-solving therapy, it may not be required and beneficial to dig into patient’s past and reconstruct his personality for treating their mood disorder(Moorey, 2010, p.201). Cognitive therapy is highly structured and short term in nature as it lasts from 12 to 16 weeks depending on the condition on patient. In contrast, psychoanalytic therapy is often unstructured and long-term in nature (Jones-Smith, 2012, p.165). When it comes to results, Psychoanalysis can consume months or even years for showing some results (Grossman, 2003, p.48).On the other hand, research evidence shows measurable improvements with CBT in significantly less time(Tolin, 2010). In psychoanalysis therapy, the therapist is typically in passive mode and completely relies on the techniques, such as, free association and in-depth digging and interpretation of unsolved childhood conflicts and issues (Jones-Smith, 2012, p.165). According to Louw and Straker (2002) in this approach, therapist will avoid intervention in the patient’s life, for instance, by giving suggestions or by giving advice on certain issue. When the therapist turns abruptly from neutrality, the reason that created the issue is explored and interpreted. The therapeutic relationship made through analysis of the conversion is critical to treatment. The major contribution is made by the interpretive method, rather than active or directive methods. In the process of interpretation, unconscious movies and functions of patient’s behaviours are identified. Psychoanalytic therapist holds a privileged perspective and patient’s unconsciousness; therefore, he becomes more authoritative than cognitive therapist (cited in Moorey, 2010, p.200).Conversely, cognitive therapy requires fully active participation of therapist. Therapist involves with patients in order to take them to identify their dysfunctional ideas and substitute them with more adaptive and rational beliefs. Cognitive therapists give prime importance to the role of cognition in psychological distress (Jones-Smith, 2012, p.165). In addition to basic difference in their approach, cognitive and psychoanalytic therapies share some common grounds as well. Both of these therapies are empirical in nature, problem focused, and present oriented. Cognitive therapist utilizes numerous techniques developed by behaviourists, such as, operant conditions, and vivo exposure to fear-provoking objects. Cognitive therapists believe that in addition to exposing patients to such threatening objects, they must address fear-provoking images and thoughts in patient’s mind. Desired cognitive changes may or may not appear merely on the basis of behaviour change. Therefore, it is crucial for therapists to recognize patient’s expectations, interpretations, and reactions to events. Moreover, patients must demonstrate that they have adapted to more positive changes in their daily life (Jones-Smith, 2012, p.165). The most significant difference between Freudian psychoanalysis and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-CBT are practical, temporal, and philosophical. A Freudian therapist will contently spend years for developing patient’s childhood records, its influences on patient’s current state of mind, functions and dysfunctions of his ego, and other factors involved. No doubt this will demand patient’s time and energies, but it will yield long-term results (Rabson, 2012). Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT focuses on an individual’s present (Kanter et al. 2009),a good therapist tend to consider patient’s past in order to find out roots of the problem, however, CBT focuses on the present day influence. Rather than peeking into the past and people’s influences on patient, CBT encourages him to make his present better by adopting positive things. Rabson (2012) studies the case of depression patient, he points out that instead of writing a psychoanalytical biography of Darnell (patient), CBT will focus on short-term analysis of his cognitive distortions, deal with these distortions and encourage him to embrace a more positive self-image. No doubt, the most frequently reported issues with psychoanalysis are its inherent nature of time consumption and expensiveness (Tridon, 1921).Cognitive theory is time and cost-effective. It highlights the patient’s present needs and focuses on present behaviours rather than past memories. CBT tends to ignore the influence of individual’s history in favour of one-dimensional analysis of his present condition and situation (Leader, 2008). Consequently, it neglects the individual’s long-term needs in order to achieve short-term improvement in his quality of life (Rabson, 2012). Psychoanalysis keeps therapist in a passive mood, thus there is limited participation and involvement from him. He studies the patients, analyse him, and interpret his behaviours and needs in present.CBT therapist actively participates, advice, and suggest behaviours and actions of the patients. Regardless of the difference between these two theories, there have been a number of successful attempts to work with both of these theories for better and improved results (Wachtel, 1997, 2008 cited in (Moorey, 2010, p.315). Works Cited Cioffi, F., and Borger, R. 1970. Explanation in the Behavioural Sciences. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. Kanter, J. W., Rusch, L. C., Landes, S. J., Holman, G. I., Whiteside, U., and Sedivy, S. K. 2009. The use and nature of present-focused interventions in cognitive and behavioral therapies for depression. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 46(2), Available at < http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2851097/> [Accesses 22 October 2013]. Grossman, L. 2003. Can Freud Get His Job Back? Time Europe, [online] Available at: < http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,407328,00.html>[Accesses 22 October 2013]. Leader, D. 2008. A quick fix for the soul. The Guardian.[online] Available at:[Accesses 22 October 2013]. Moorey,S.Cognitive behavior therapy and psychoanalysis. In A. Lemma and M. Patrick,ed. 2010.Off the Couch: Contemporary psychoanalytic Applications. New York: Routledge. Rabson,H.M.2012. Freudian psychology vs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.[online]Available at: < http://www.academia.edu/1358557/Freudian_Psychology_vs_Cognitive_Behavioral_Therapy>>[Accesses 22 October 2013]. Tolin, D. 2010. Is cognitive–behavioral therapy more effective than other therapies? A meta-analytic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(6), 710-720. Tridon, A. 1921. Easy Lessons in Psychoanalysis. New York, NY: The James A. McCann Company. Wollheim, R. 1992. In Freud We Trust. New York Times Book Review, 7. Jones-Smith,E. 2012.Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy: An integrative approach. London: Sage Publishers. Read More