Maila Travaini

August 25, 2013

Psychodynamic Approaches Comparison Essay

In the counseling world today understanding psychodynamic approaches is more crucial than ever in the assessment and treatment of any psychological issue. Psychodynamic approaches such as Individual therapy, analytical therapy and psychoanalysis are similar in many ways but also differ based on the individuals own perception and circumstances. I will discuss the similarities as well difference’s and why these forms of therapy are critical in the assessment and treatment of clients.
Individual therapy is what most think of as laying on a couch and talking to a counselor as they doodle pictures and let the client come to their own conclusions. In a way this is what individual therapy is, the goal of individual therapy is for the client to come to change behaviors, such as depression, anxiety, compulsive behaviors, addiction, and so on. Just like analytical and psychoanalysis therapy the goal is to change the behaviors and become a happy healthy adult that can cope thru any of lives obstacles. Individual therapy can take weeks to months to years. No matter the situation the point of therapy is to gain self-growth and self-actualization by confronting barriers that get in the way of an individual’s mental and emotional well-being.
Analytical therapy created by much like individual therapy is usually on a one on one basis and focuses more on the past and the reasons why and where the behaviors began. As well as how to separate the circumstances of what has happened to cause these behaviors and delusions to cause turmoil and distress in one’s life. In analytical therapy the approach is more hands on the counselor will be more vocal than in individual therapy. According to Neukrug, S.E. (2011). “Differing from the psychoanalytic approach, in which the analyst is empathic but a bit