Psychoanalysis
Many consider the theory of psychoanalysis the "grandparent of all psychotherapeutic methods" (Jones & Butman, 1991, p. 65). Although this theory has changed through the years, many still consider it a useful tool in psychotherapy and counseling. The focus of this paper will be to give a brief synopsis of this theory and to briefly comment on the spiritual and religious implications of it. This theory finds it roots in a man named Sigmund Freud (1856- 1939). He was a very learned man, who had studied under some brilliant innovators within the medical profession. One of which, was a man named Josef Breuer. He introduced Freud to the practice of treating people suffering from hysterical illness. Freud did not see much of a future or financial stability in this. He decided to study neurology and psychiatry. He worked with many patients suffering from neurological disorders. Eventually, Freud began to study under a doctor by the name of Jean Charcot, a famous neurologist and hypnotist. This man showed Freud the importance of the unconscious mind and how it related to symptoms of illness. Although
This resulted in the patient recalling forgotten events, feelings, emotions, or fantasies. The superego is where the child incorporates values from the parents and society. Winnicott helped people understand the importance of the bond between the mother and child and how it could affect things later in life. She also added to the concept of defense mechanisms and came up with a couple more. This involved encouraging patients to relax on a couch in order to produce more free flowing associations. In light of this, this writer has reached a conclusion that not all methods of this theory are useless. Equally profound, is the concept of parents not allowing their children to play with their feces, may result in low self- esteem. Erikson stresses the need to use a positive approach in potty training, but he does not go to the extreme that Freud does. Do not dwell on our past, but put God into our future (Philippians 3:13). What guaranties would the therapist have as to the honesty and openness of the client? The Bible exhorts us to guard our words (Proverbs 10:19), to use wisdom in dealing with others (James 1:19), and to let things go (Colossians 3:12-13). He feels that this will help people who grow old feel good about themselves by realizing they handled their lives well. Erikson goes further in the area of adulthood by stressing the importance of helping others to develop properly in order to have a sense of accomplishment when one reaches middle age. This consists of the infant stage (id), the mediation stage (ego), and the adult stage (superego). Freud's fixation on sexuality was the root of some controversy and was not widely accepted in later days.
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