The Philosophical Origins of Each Approach
Psychodynamic theory is a psychology approach which makes emphasis on the logical study of various psychological forces which are associated with the human behaviors, human feelings and human emotions and the way they are related to early experience. Psychodynamic approach is particularly interested in the dynamic relationship between the conscious motivation and the unconscious motivation (Block, 1995).
The philosophical origin of the psychodynamic approach established by Sigmoid Freud in 1856-1939, is when Freud described the processes that take place inside the mind using the term psychodynamics. One of the processes that Freud described was psychological energy, also known as libido, in one of the most organically complex brains. Freud got this idea from Ernst von Brucke, a first year at the University of Vienna. The student had a view that living things, including human beings, are primarily energy-systems on which energy conservation principle also applies. The principle states that the total energy generated in any physical system is always constant and that the energy is convertible but cannot be annihilated, and when energy is transferred from one part of a system to the other, it should reappear in the other part (Block, 1995). The principle was the root of Sigmoid Freud's psychodynamic idea where libido, the basic source of sexual energy, transformed to other life behaviors. The theory was later developed by three scientists, Carl Jung, Alfred Alder and Melanie Klein. The approach was well established between the 1940s and 1950s. In the year 1950s, Eric Berne, an American psychiatrist, built a psychodynamic model in support of Freud’s theory. Early psychological French researchers set up scenes to study the Freud’s idea on psychodynamics and come up with possible conclusions about the approach (Plante, 2011).
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The cognitive-behavioral approach is one of the evidence-based psychosocial intervention for improving mental health. The philosophical origin of Cognitive-behavioral approach is associated with numerous ancient philosophical practices, specifically, Stoicism (Koltko-Rivera, 2004). Some of the Stoic philosophers such as Epictetus and Aaron, strongly believed that logic was applicable in identifying and discarding false beliefs which cause destructive emotions that contribute to depression as well as anxiety.
The humanistic approach emphasizes the value and the agency of people, individually or collectively and favors rationalism as well as empiricism over the acceptance superstition. The philosophical origin of humanistic approach is traced back in 1808 when Bavarian commissioner for education, Fredrich I. Neithammer, came up with the word Humanismus to explain a new a classical curriculum he was planning to offer for Secondary schools in Germany (Karoly, 1999). In 1836, the term Humanism was absorbed in the English language and later in 1856; the word gained wide acceptance when Georg Voigt, a German philologist, and historian used the term Humanism in describing Renaissance humanism, an Italian Renaissance movement that retrieved classical learning. In the mid-18th century, the ideological use of the term Humanism had come into use during the French Enlightenment. The current humanistic psychology came up in reaction to psychoanalysis and behaviorism in school. Humanistic psychological approach studies human beings as in the perspective of their surrounding environment. The humanistic psychological approach developed into an important field of psychology late 20th century (Karoly, 1999).
A family systems approach is part of psychotherapy which works perfectly with family and couple relationships with an objective to nature change as well as development. The approach views change as a system of the interactions between family members or couples and further put emphasis on family relationships as an essential factor that determines psychological health (Koltko-Rivera, 2004). The philosophical origin of Family system approach is the cultural practices that involve formal rituals that mostly includes the extended family and non-kin members. The family system approach had its philosophical origin in the Western culture with the social movements of the 19th century in the United States of America and the United Kingdom. The theory was further developed in the early 20th century when child guidance and also marriage counseling movements emerged. In the 1940s as well as early 1950s, various independent clinical psychologists in the UK founded associations which saw the Family approach gain strong background as many anthropologists also boosted it (Plante, 2011).
Goals of Each Approach
The goals of psychodynamic approach are self-awareness, the understanding of the past and present behaviors. The psychodynamic approach enables a patient to examine and evaluate the unsolved conflicts as well as the conflicts that may arise from the previous dysfunctional relationships and reveal themselves in the intense desire for substance abuse (Koltko-Rivera, 2004).
The goal of cognitive-behavior is to help an individual learn how to recognize the negative thought pattern, evaluate the validity of the negative thoughts and replace the negative thoughts with some healthier ways of thinking.
The goals of humanistic approach are: to a person develop an active and more vigorous sense of personality (Koltko-Rivera, 2004). Another goal of the humanistic approach is to assist an individual access and also understand their feeling to be able to comprehend the meaning of life.
The goals of family system approach are: supporting people to understand that family relationships are a fundamental part of an individual’s emotional health within a family and also how family functions. Also, the goal of family system approach is to assist identifying the strengths as well as weaknesses in a family and be able to formulate goals and applicable strategies for solving the family problems (Plante, 2011).
Techniques and Strategies Used by Each Approach
The techniques and strategies used by psychodynamic approach are the use of Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual (PDM) by the psychological clinician to enable them to focus on the observable symptoms and as criteria for patient diagnosis (Koltko-Rivera, 2004). The other technique used in this approach is the Freudian Slip in psychodynamic approach. The technique is significant in revealing meaningful behavioral information of a person. Also, there is the Free Association technique where the patient associates freely with the therapist when discussing the issues that he or she feels affects their behaviors. Another psychodynamic technique is Dream Analysis that proves useful to some patients but is not yet scientifically proven. In dream analysis, the patient discusses the dream he or she experiences at night. The therapist then analyses the dream and applies it in solving patient’s psychological problems.
The technique and strategies used in cognitive-behavioral approach are thought to record when the therapist asks the patients to record what they think regularly, and it affects their behaviors. Another technique used in cognitive-behavioral approach is Pleasant Activity Scheduling where a patient experiencing depression can have a small schedule that runs throughout the week (Plante, 2011). The program is essential in keeping the client busy and have a sense of mastery in their daily activities, therefore, keeping off from activities that bring anxiety (Koltko-Rivera, 2004).
The techniques and strategies used in Humanistic approach are listening, accepting, respecting, understanding and responding appropriately to the people around and the environment. Other techniques and strategies applicable to humanistic approach are: acting responsibly, providing an environment that is stimulating to both the patient and the people around and providing a safe environment for the patient.
The techniques and strategies used in family system approach are Genogram whereby the technique provides a graphical picture of the family history to reveal the basic family structure (Koltko-Rivera, 2004). Another the Family Floor Plan technique where the psychologist asks a couple to draw the floor plan of their nuclear family. The technique is important in for the therapist to identify the level of comfort that the family deserves and also their future expectations in their family. Other methods include reframing, tracking, building communication skills and family sculpting.
How Each Approach Affects the Treatment Strategies of Anxiety Disorder
Psychodynamic approach positively affects the treatment of anxiety disorder since it emphasizes on the systematic study of psychological forces which underlie behind the human behaviors, human feelings and human emotions and how they are related to early experience. In an anxiety disorder, a person is in fear of future events that may take place depending on the current situation and therefore the approach is useful for the treatment of anxiety disorder (Plante, 2011).
The cognitive-behavioral approach also affects the treatment of anxiety disorder positively since the approach is an evidence-based psychosocial intervention for improving mental health. In a stress disorder, the physical symptoms of anxiety disorder such as first hear rate form the basis for the treatment of the disease and apply in the cognitive-behavioral approach.
Also, humanitarian approach affects the treatment of anxiety disorder as it emphasizes on the value and the agency of people, individually or collectively and favors rationalism and empiricism over the acceptance superstition. Some types of anxiety are generalized, and therefore it is inaccurate for the psychologist to assume that the anxiety under treatment is caused by the agency of people or individuals.
Family system approach affects the treatment of anxiety disorder in that it only is only part of psychotherapy which works perfectly with family and couple relationships. The approach only considers family and couple relationships whereas anxiety disorder may affect anybody in the society.
The Effectiveness of Each Approach
Psychodynamic approach is beneficial for the treatment of the anxiety disorder. The plan covers many types of disorders and is applicable widely by psychologists. The cognitive-behavioral approach is effective in the treatment of evidence-based types of anxiety (Karoly, 1991). The humanistic approach is not as effective as psychodynamic approach and cognitive-behavioral approach because it is limited to few techniques and strategies such as listening, accepting, respecting, understanding and responding and it assumes that all human beings are the same with no physical challenges. The family system approach is most effective in the treatment of anxiety disorder that affects families as well as couples (Karoly, 1991).
References
Block, J. (1995). A contrarian view of the five-factor approach to personality description. Psychological bulletin , 117 (2), 187.
Karoly, P. (1991). Goal systems and health outcomes across the life span: A proposal. New directions in health psychology assessment , 65-93.
Karoly, P. (1999). A goal system–self-regulatory perspective on personality, psychopathology, and change. Review of General Psychology , 3 (4), 264.
Koltko-Rivera, M. E. (2004). The psychology of worldviews. Review of General Psychology , 8 (1), 3.
Plante, T. G. (2011). Contemporary Clinical Psychology. (Third, Ed.) Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
