Psychoanalytic Theory and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy - Essay Example

and Counseling Theories Paper: Psychoanalytic Theory & Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Psychoanalytic theory is one of the oldest theories that can be associated with therapy. The most famous psychoanalyst is, of course, Freud, but the theory has developed and diversified since these origins. It is a deterministic theory, in that it suggests that humans develop along lines that are not necessarily logical or rational. Additionally, there are several different terms that refer to life stages present in Freud’s original psychoanalytic theory, although these have definitely evolved. Three important terms in psychoanalytic theory are the id, the ego and the superego, which will be explained in more detail throughout this paper. These three terms reflect different elements of personality and interacting with the outside world and therefore can be used in therapy to understand and reshape personality and behaviors. There are many criticisms of psychoanalytic theory, particularly because its deterministic nature means that it does not allow therapists much chance of helping the patient, and is rather more for understanding the root of the problem. Additionally, Freud’s original psychoanalytic theory is focused heavily on the sexual and is also considered to be a little outdated by some therapists. However, it remains an important tool for some and additionally helps to illustrate the roots of therapy, so it will be compared here to a more common and much celebrated tool – cognitive-behavioral therapy. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is perhaps one of the most popular forms of therapy used by psychologists today. There are several different disorders and worldviews which can be treated with CBT, including anxiety and depression. Therapists use a combination of cognitive (mind based) and behavioral (action based) therapies as part of treatment, The view here is that many disorders can be treated by modification of behaviors, as a type of precursor to feeling well. By adapting your behaviors and thoughts to be more “healthy”, there is a chance that the patient will have improved and stabilized moods. The therapies have been developed by a huge number of different researchers and therapies, and is a blend of earlier forms of therapy based on behavior modification. The main focus of CBT is dealing with the present – in contrast to psychoanalytic theory which focuses more on how the individual developed in the past. The therapist here acts as a guide to lead the patient through into healthy cognition and behavior, rather than using psychoanalytic theory to understand their cognitive patterns. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the uses and beliefs of CBT and psychoanalytic theory and compare and contrast their uses in modern therapy. View of Human Nature There are several key differences in the way that CBT and psychoanalytic theory view human nature. In traditional Freudian psychoanalytic theory, the view is deterministic because our behavior is determined by outside and irrational forces as well as our own biological and psychological needs and desires. Additionally, Freud believes that the majority of these forces develop through our psychosexual states that occur in very early life. The instinct is an important feature in Freudian psychoanalytic theory, using the term libido to refer to sexual energy and also all life instincts. In this sense, Freud believes that we are all slaves to our natural instincts – those that keep us alive and further the human race. There are also death instincts which is a term used to describe why some people act aggressively at times. CBT is a much less deterministic view. This theory posits that people have the ability to think “straight” (i.e. normal, healthy thoughts) and to think “crooked” (e.g. unhealthy thoughts). Unlike Freud (who believes that our instincts and urges are dependent on development), CBT is based around the theory that people actually have a predisposition towards these healthy thoughts that promote growth, self-actualization, happiness and health. Both CBT and Freudian psychoanalytic theory recognize that there are people that are more drawn towards destruction, procrastination, superstition, intolerance and a number of other “unhealthy” behaviors. The reasoning behind these behaviors is different, with CBT believing that it is due to unhealthy thought processes that can be changed whilst psychoanalytic theory proposes that they are due to death instincts that were acquired during development. Therapeutic Goals CBT and psychoanalytic theory also differ greatly in their therapeutic goals. In Freudian therapy, there are two main goals. One of these is to make the unconscious conscious (to allow the person to evaluate their development and understand their behaviors). In some ways, CBT shares a similar goal in that it requires a person to evaluate themselves based on their behavior and make a conscious decision about this, but Freudian psychotherapy does not promote the separation of self and behaviors as CBT does. Freudian psychotherapy focuses on drawing out unconscious experiences from the past as a way of understanding current actions, whereas CBT focuses much more on the present. The second main goal of psychoanalytic theory is to strengthen the ego as a way of ensuring that behaviors are not based upon desires or instincts. Strengthening the ego allows the patient to resist natural or unnatural desires and therefore they can overcome their development in some ways. CBT focuses more on setting realistic goals for the future to allow development, as well as understanding that certain behaviors do not represent our true self. In fact, psychoanalytic theory does suggest that certain behaviors are a reflection of our true self, which is another way in which they are wildly different. However, it must be noted that both types of therapy are focused on helping a client avoid their imperfections and move towards more productive, healthy behaviors. Therapist’s Function and Role The main role of the therapist in psychoanalysis is to remain neutral. Freud believed that self-disclosure from the therapist could lead to transference – masking the true history of the patient and allowing little room for therapy. By staying neutral, the feelings and emotions of the patient will therefore come from experiences and important figures in their past, which will allow the psychotherapist to fully understand their development. The role of the therapist in CBT is similar in that it is not about sharing life experiences, but CBT does allow more flexibility in relationship style. The therapist’s role in CBT is to work together with the patient to develop and maintain a realistic therapeutic goal. The major difference between the two theories in this sense is that the therapist in CBT is supposed to take the mystery out of the process, whereas the psychoanalyst spends time listening and interpreting without necessarily illustrating to the client their process. Additionally, the CBT therapist is there to promote an understanding of how the client’s thought process is keeping unhealthy thoughts alive. Essentially, though, the main function of the therapist remains the same in either theory. Both are designed to help maximize happiness, love and functioning for the client by strengthening their positive thoughts and minimizing disturbances. Major Therapeutic Techniques and Procedures Although CBT and psychoanalytic theory differ in many ways, the techniques and procedures do share some similarities. They are both based around having few weekly sessions and they are both aimed at setting objectives for the patient rather than restructuring their entire personality. Additionally both focus on using supportive interventions such as reassurance and expressions of support. Finally, they both share the goal of making practical changes to the patient’s life and focusing on important real-world problems than on fantasy. Both types of therapy aim to increase the individual’s awareness of their behaviors and beliefs as a way of helping them through their therapy. However, there are some major differences. Psychoanalytic theory works on many different techniques, including interpretation and dream analysis which are not present in CBT. CBT is such a wide field that it is difficult to pinpoint certain specific techniques, but they are based on more real-world solid procedures. For example, a major technique is to dispute irrational beliefs that the client has, whereas psychotherapy does not recognize irrational beliefs as a problem. CBT also focuses on doing cognitive homework, where clients can take cognitive exercises designed to foster positive thought patterns, whereas psychotherapy does not provide this type of procedure for the client. Read More