Psychodynamic therapists use a variety of tools and techniques to help their patients. The tools and techniques they use depend on the condition of the patients. The information below explains several common tools and techniques use in psychodynamic therapy.
Read also: Things You Must Know Before Taking A Psychodynamic Therapy
Listening and Observing Technique
It is one of the most common techniques in psychodynamic theory. Therapists use this technique in the first meeting with their patients. The simple way is asking about their condition that day. Then, the therapists observe the smile, body language, and other signs that show the feeling or emotions of the patient. At a certain point, the patient will start to explain their condition, feeling, emotions, and thought. The therapists will not interfere with it by saying something. Instead of doing that, they will listen to and keep observing the patient. The way the patient talks and what he or she says to give more data before deciding what is going on with the patient. This technique is also effective to make the patient comfortable. The Patient thinks that his or her therapist respects him or her. When a patient is comfortable, a therapist will get any crucial information they need. Even if the patient is angry or crying, the therapists try to find a way to make them calm and relax for comfortable psychodynamic counseling.
Clarification Technique
The observation result is not always representing the condition of the patient. That’s why a professional psychodynamic therapist will clarify it. They use this technique by asking some questions that strike the problem. For example, a therapist will ask why the patient does a horrible action. They can also start the conversation by asking why the patient is so devastated. The more striking the question, the better because it leads to the best conclusion about what happens to the patient and how the therapist will handle them. Another psychodynamic approach you can apply dealing with clarification technique is going deeper to the patient’s feelings and behavior. As a therapist, you can explain that your patient always explains in a small voice in a specific point. This method makes them aware of the problem he faces.
Confrontation Technique
The confrontation technique is even deeper than the clarification technique. Based on the psychodynamic perspective, confrontation is the way to make sure that your patient is in a specific emotion, feeling, or thought that makes them uncomfortable. You can start by showing their repetitive behavior that reveals their problem is. One of the benefits of using a confrontation technique in the therapy session is to get more objective data from the patient.
Interpretation Technique
Interpretation technique is also common in psychodynamic psychology therapy. You are about to relate between the behavior of your patient and the things that drive them to do so. This technique will lead you to get closer to the root of the problem. A therapist uses an interpretation technique when they have enough objective data. In this phase, the therapist has heard a lot from the patient. A good interpretation is an interpretation that makes a patient realize or conscious about something. When they realize something after you explain your interpretation it means that they find the root of their problem.
Give a Solution
In this psychodynamic psychotherapy session, you can start to give a solution for the patient. They have realized the root of the problem and are more comfortable with you. You will be easy to help them. Your solution will be more effective if they understand what is going on with them first.
Other Techniques
Some psychodynamic therapists also use other techniques to help their patients. For example, you start to talk openly with your patient. You let your patient explain everything about their feelings and thoughts. This technique helps you to get the crucial information you need before creating an interpretation and giving a solution. Free Association is also one of the psychodynamic approach psychology methods that you can use to find out more about your patient. In this technique, you are reading a list of words. Your patient has to respond to the first word that comes to his or her mind immediately. These words can be valuable information about the feeling of your patient during the therapy session. At least, you have a brief point of view about the things that your patient wants to explain. Click here to find out the other techniques for you.
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