GRID

Theory

Major Theorist(s)

Key Concepts

Therapeutic Goals

Therapist-Client Relationship

Techniques and Procedures

Applications

Strengths

Limitations

Multicultural Perspective

Psychoanalytic

Freud, Jung, and Erickson (Corey, 2023).

Human Nature: Determined by irrational forces, unconscious motivations, sexual drive, life/death instincts (Corey, 2023).

Personality Structure:

*Id- Instinctual, ruled by pleasure principle

*Ego- Rational, ruled by reality principle.

*Superego- Morals, ruled by rewards and punishments.

Ego-Defense Mechanisms: deny/distort reality, operate unconsciously

Focuses on clients past.

To make the unconscious conscious.

To strengthen the Ego to make behavior more reality based.

The goal of the therapist is to make the client’s unconscious thoughts/feelings/ issues conscious.

Freud recommends that the client be positioned on a couch away from the therapist, as to avoid eye contact (Corey, 2023).

The therapist offers little, if any, self-disclosure.

The therapeutic process can be quite lengthy (up to 2 years or longer).

Maintaining analytic framework.

Free association.

Interpretation.

Dream analysis.

Analysis of resistance.

Analysis of transference (Corey, 2023).

Useful for professionals who intend to do intensive therapy.

Useful for clients who are in deep emotional pain.

Useful for clients who want another dimension added to their therapy— those who want to further explore their psyche.

It has focused on key factors such as the unconscious as a defining motive for behavior.

The effects of trauma during the first six years of life are emphasized.

Transference, countertransference, anxiety, resistance, and the issue of ego defense are highlighted (Corey, 2023).

Not useful for daily life problems where coping skills should be the focus.

Lengthy and specific training for therapists necessary.

Requires many sessions, which could be very expensive for clients.

Clients do not always respond

positively to techniques.

The focus on family dynamics makes it appropriate for working with many cultural groups.

The proper demeanor of the therapist is attractive to clients who expect professional distance.

Internal focus can conflict with cultural values that emphasize the interpersonal and environmental dimensions (Corey, 2023).

Adlerian

Existential

Person-Centered

Gestalt

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

Reality Therapy

Feminist Therapy

Narrative Therapy

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

Structural Family Therapy