Question #4: If you were counseling Helen from the Psychoanalytic framework, what additional
technique(s) would you employ in the session? What would you hope to accomplish with this
intervention?
During the session with Helen and Dr. Donavan, the immediate psychoanalysis technique
use is dream analysis (Murdock, 2017; Theories in Action, n.d.). Throughout the session, Helen
discusses a dream she had that included real people from her conscious reality. Dr. Donavan,
alternating between silence, questioning and pondering, attempts to analyze Helen’s dream
(McMinn, 2011). He addresses the manifest content by discussing the underlying latent content
(Murdock, 2017). Dr. Donovan communicates the meaning of dream symbols by using the
interpretation technique (Murdock, 2017). It seems as though the therapeutic alliance is in the
beginning stages of the development of transference. Dr. Donovan offers less threatening
analysis of the dream and interpretations (Murdock, 2017). Murdock (2017) suggests the
technique of free association is the most powerful, where the unconscious shows itself. I believe
that Dr. Donovan allows Helen to practice this by creating a space, with silence, for her to speak
what is on her mind and process freely (McMinn, 2011; Murdock, 2017).
If I were counseling Helen from the psychoanalytic framework, I would additionally use
the analysis of transference technique. This would develop overtime, as Helen began to form a
trusting relationship with me and the analysis process (Murdock, 2017). Possessing the ability to
discuss positive and negative emotions felt in the counseling relationship and verbally aid in
Helen’s analyzation process of such emotions could help her to understand the deeply rooted
emotions from her past traumas (Murdock, 2017). Murdock (2017) suggests that as the client
transfers qualities, usually from an important authority figure from their childhood, onto the
counselor- the counselor is able to analyze and aid the client’s hard work to understanding their
unconscious material (Murdock, 2017). This allows the client to understand his or her deeply
rooted feelings and understand internal processes (Murdock, 2017). This could aid Helen’s
mental, emotional, and social health.
The hope in using this technique would be to aid in Helen’s ability to understand why she
relates to others the way she does and allow the opportunity for her to make better choices in the
future. The goal would be to help Helen uncover and resolve her unconscious conflicts and
encourage ego strength by bringing conflicts to her conscious processing (Murdock, 2017). This
could allow growth and healing throughout her late adult life, in hopes she will be able to
function from a healthier mental and emotional place.
References
McMinn, M. R. (2011). Psychology, theology, and spirituality in christian counseling. Wheaton,
IL: Tyndale House.
Murdock, N. L. (2017). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: A case approach (4th ed.).
Boston: Pearson Education.
Theories in Action. (n.d.). Psychoanalytic section [Video file]. Pearson Education, Inc. Retrieved
from http://media.pearsoncmg.com/pcp/21270572125/index.html?wf=1&item=1
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