The counseling profession is faced with complex problems, ranging from social, ethnic and racial due to the diversity of the population. Integrating the counseling theories seeks to meet and challenge the complexities of human issues facing the counseling fraternity (O’Leary & Murphy, 2006). Integration of Psychotherapy ‘blends the parts and is greater than the sum’ (O’Leary, 2006).Theories offer providence of foundations of good counseling framework to delve into counseling process, clients predicaments and a measure of progress to the counselor. According to Boy and Pine in 1993, counseling theory approaches has six functions which are:
Help counselors relate and find unity in diversity of existence.
Compelling counselors examine relationships that they could overlook.
Offer operational guidelines to counselors within which they can evaluate their development as professionals.
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Provides relevant information to counselors and what to look for.
Enables the counselors in evaluating both the old and modern approaches to counseling.
Give counselors a niche to assist clients to effectively modify their behavior, interpersonal relationship, emotional functioning, and cognition.
Theories used in counseling profession are multiple including psychoanalytical theory which is presented here. The psychoanalytical or psychodynamic theory is a historical perspective with its roots found in Sigmund Freud, who believed and credited unconscious forces in influencing behavior (Frazier, 2015). The psychoanalytic approach focuses on the influence of the past experiences, left in the unconscious mind that controls one's current behavior according to the psychoanalytic perspective of Freud. The techniques developed by Freud for instance, dream analysis, free association and transference are still useful today in psychoanalysis.
Foundations and Characteristics of Psychoanalysis Theory
Underpinning or foundations of psychoanalytic theory are traced to clinical experiences of Freud that he used to treat patients with mental illnesses. Freud observed similarities between his work and specific aspects of mental functions. With time, more studies psychoanalysis has been described as the conflict in human nature which appears to be true. It has been established that there is a conflicted part of human mental functioning related to conflicts originating from childhood. The significance of derived conflict in mental functionality and development is a significant contribution in psychoanalysis.
Characteristics of psychoanalytic theory are psychic energy, needed for the mind functions which cannot be destroyed but expressed. Psychic dynamism is another feature showing that everything that humans do has a cause. Instincts which are the unconscious urges and mind structure are internally comprised of id, ego and superego part and psych conflicts which are tasked with resolving personality (Wilderdom, 2003). The foundations and characteristics of psychoanalysis theory proves this theory efficient and reliable and a major contribution in counselling fraternity.
The Concept of Psychoanalysis Theory
The concept of psychoanalysis theory is founded among several fundamental keys and principles that govern and directs it. Some of the concepts are as listed below.
View of Human Nature
According to Freud, the view of human nature is said to be dynamic, characterized by the exchange of energy and transformation. Behavior is determined by irritation forces, biological and instinctual initiatives. These characters of human nature change through psychosexual phases of the first six years of life. This principle therefore, is responsible for influencing ones behavior based on qualities characterizing humankind.
Personality structure
Personality structure consists of three parts, the id, that is present at birth, the ego, and superego that develops during life. All these components work together. The id is the biological constituent of the personality structure and the original system found at birth. The Id is the fundamental source of psychic energy and instinct foundation. The ego is the psychological constituent of personal structure that is responsible for governing, controlling and regulating personality. Ego is the foundation of intelligence and rationality. It regulates blind impulses of id. Superego is the social constituent of personality structure, and it is the judicial basis of the personality. This concept key is therefore founded on human distinctive characteristics.
Ego-Defensive Mechanisms
Ego-defensive mechanisms enable one to deals with anxiety and protects the ego from overwhelm them. Characteristics of the defensive mechanism are denying or distorting reality and operating on the unconscious level. Some most often referred defensive mechanisms include sublimation, regression, projection, reaction formation, displacement, denial, rationalization among others. Thus, this is the key concept explaining tools responsible for mediating situations, and defenses.
Development stages
Development stages are the phases of psychological and psychosexual progress from birth to adulthood. This equips the counselor with the tools to understand characteristics of developmental tasks from birth to adulthood. The stages include oral stage, anal stage, phallic stage, Latency stage and genital stage, encompassed in 3 areas of personal and social development. These areas are namely love and trust, dealing with negative feelings and positive sexual acceptance. Development stages as one of the key concepts responsible explaining characteristics of development phases.
Pertinent Research Supporting Psychoanalysis Theory
Pertinent research that supports Freud's psychoanalysis theory includes research models conducted at different times by different psychoanalysts. A paradigm opened by Freud and other authors dedicated to deepening knowledge and foundation of psychoanalysis, a call by authors such as Botella (2003). Another psychoanalysis model was proposed by Palmer et al. (2011). This was proposed evaluation technique with principle guidelines of psychoanalytic method focused on tackling therapeutic and analytical issues of clinical procedure about subjectivity. It was carried out to demonstrate the analytical effect of psychoanalysis. This clearly proves Freud’s theory reliable and dependable.
Integration of Wellness Theory and Psychoanalysis Theory
Wellness theory is a major theory which is considered a dynamic process of mental, physical and spiritual integration, optimization, and outcome of all these dynamics. Bill Hettler who is regarded as the father of modern wellness theory defined wellness as that process where people usually become aware in addition to making choices to have a successful existence. Additionally, wellness is considered by other psychologists as that optimum state of well-being and health which each can be able to achieve (Myers & Sweeney, 2007). This, however, is a conscious effort which means that an individual has to make a choice from within to reach that optimum and enjoy all spheres of life to the fullest. More so wellness theory is said to encompass six dimensions which are physical, emotional, intellectual, occupational, social and spiritual (Chandler, Holden & Kolander, 1992). Psychoanalysis, on the other hand, is concerned with mental coaching which is aimed at helping individuals to adapt to a whole new, different thoughts and processes. The use of psychoanalytic theory is meant to elicit a different set of ideas to help an individual live a life that is better than their current life. In short, this theory is used to extract a new set of thought processes to excite an individual to live a better life physically, emotionally, physically, occupationally, spiritually, socially and intellectually.
The integration of wellness and psychoanalysis theory can be used with students who turn to drugs which ultimately affects their physical, social, emotional and intellectual wellness. The counselor can use psychotherapy theory and wellness theory to help change their life perspectives to adapt to better behaviors. As a result, such substance abusers can embrace a better life where they are more concerned with the total wellness of their lives and reap the benefits of living a life free of addiction.
In conclusion, the psychoanalysis theory model description proves it dependable and worthwhile to be applied in counseling group works. It is founded on experience of Freud during his career and characterized psychic energy, psychic dynamism and instincts explaining personality and its influences. The concept and pertinent research done on the theory places it at a forefront as a dependable theory that can be applicable in counselling groups. Despite having limitation like any other counselling theory, the explanation given shows psychoanalysis theory reliable to the counselling group works.
References
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Chandler, C. K, Holden, J. M. & Kolander, C. A. (1992). Counselling for Spiritual Wellness: Theory and Practice. Journal of Counseling and Development , 71.
Jardim, Luciane Loss. A fragmentacao de eu na esquizofrenia e o fenomeno do transvismo : um caso clinic. Revista Mal-Estar e Subjectividade V 11 pg., 267-284, 2011.
Kimberly Frazier (June 2015). Five Counselling Theories Approaches. The family institute of the Northwestern University . Retrieved from https://couselling.northwest.edu/five-counselling-theories-and-approaches/.
Marvin, J. Westwood & Joan F. Ewasiw (2011). Integrating narrative and action process in group counselling practice: a multinational approach for helping clients. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 36 (1), 78-93. Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01933922.2019.537788.
Myers, J. E. & Sweeney, T. J. (2007). Wellness in Counseling: An Overview. Professional Counseling Digest . Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/71ee/af37042d146a5e5849fca5e704e382c1a69d.pdf.
O’Leary, E (2006). The need for Integration . In E. O’Leary & M. Murphy (Eds.). New Approaches to integration in Physiotherapy (pg. 3-11) . London, UK: Routledge.
O’Leary, E., & Murphy, M. (2006). A Framework for Integrative Physiotherapy. In E. O’Leary & M. Murphy (Eds.). New Approaches to integration in Physiotherapy (pp. 12-24) . London, UK: Routledge.
Wilderdom. (2003). Major themes and assumptions of psychoanalysis: Individual differences Personality . Retrieved from www.wilderdon.com/personality/L81MajorThemesAssumptionsPsychoanalytic.html.
