Psychodynamic Models in Family Therapy

This article discusses psychodynamic models in family therapy, focusing on the integration of Freudian psychoanalytical theory and the examination of unconscious processes. It explores the link between past and present behaviors and the manifestation of dysfunctions in individuals. The article also covers trans-generational models and population-based family treatments.

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Sociology
Psychodynamic models
Psychodynamic family therapy models are approaches to family therapy that specifically
integrates the classical Freudian psychoanalytical theory interests at the core of an individual’s
unconscious aspects (Tasca & Balfour, 2014). This approach often has interests in the social
context of the individuals especially the family context. It assumes that it is from the family
context where dysfunctions develop that could either be individual as well as relational.
Psychodynamic therapy is often referred to as insight-oriented therapy and that mainly focuses
on various kinds of unconscious processes that are often manifested in an individual's present
behavior. The main goal of psychodynamic models is to try and establish some kind of pattern
between the present and past behaviors of an individual and therefore being in a position to
establish a link and/or relationship between past and present behavior.
Basically, psychodynamic family therapy often enables a person and/or cent to examine certain
unresolved issues and/or conflicts and specific signs and symptoms that arise from past cases of
dysfunctional relationships that often have a high tendency of manifesting themselves in an
individual through a need and desire to abuse various kinds of substances (Rodgers & Bale,
2015).
The psychodynamic models are among one of the oldest known forms of therapies. It is because
of this reason that it is base on a highly developed theory of human development as well as
interaction. It is also important to note that this theory has undergone quite a number of
evolutions over time.

Sociology
Trans-generational models
As the name suggests, the trans-generational models are family therapy techniques that give the
therapist and/or expert an ability to examine the interactions between individuals in a family
across multiple generations.
Through the analysis and examinations of interactions across multiple generations the therapist is
in a position to have a grasp of some core issues within the family lineage. Some of the issues
that the therapists often notices are the current issues of struggle and projections of future
stressful situations that are likely to arise (Abbass et al, 2014).
It is important to note that the transgenerational model is associated with the works of Murray
Bowen, Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy and Don Williamson. Trans-generational models of family
therapy puts so much value on historical information of the family and strongly believes that the
past has some influence on the future as well as the present. This is made clear in FAMILY
THERAPY Concepts, Process and Practice Second Edition Alan Carr University College Dublin
and Clanwilliam Institute Dublin, Ireland retrieved from CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, 5/4/2019
Trans-generational models are often not concerned in learning about individual pathology but
rather are more concerned about how specific families develop patterns of behavior towards
responding to various situations of stress and in that way is in a position to respond accordingly
to such situations and therefore preventing healthy developments in some other members of their
family. Through a clear understanding of these patterns and how they develop from generation to
generation then certain changes can be made towards solving such issues.
Population-Based Family treatments

Sociology
As the name suggests this s a form of family therapy that examines signs and symptoms of
various causes of illnesses through a clear determination of effects on a general population
(Atkinson et al, 2014). This is often done in a systematic manner like for instance considering the
age and gender of the targeted population.

Sociology
References
Abbass, A. A., Rabung, S., Leichsenring, F., Refseth, J. S., & Midgley, N. (2013).
Psychodynamic psychotherapy for children and adolescents: A meta-analysis of short-
term psychodynamic models. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent
Psychiatry, 52(8), 863-875.
Atkinson, J., Nelson, J., Brooks, R., Atkinson, C., & Ryan, K. (2014). Addressing individual and
community transgenerational trauma. Working together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander mental health and wellbeing principles and practice, 2, 289-307.
Rodgers, A. B., & Bale, T. L. (2015). Germ cell origins of posttraumatic stress disorder risk: the
transgenerational impact of parental stress experience. Biological Psychiatry, 78(5), 307-
314.
Tasca, G. A., & Balfour, L. (2014). Eating disorders and attachment: A contemporary
psychodynamic perspective. Psychodynamic Psychiatry, 42(2), 257-276.
FAMILY THERAPY Concepts, Process and Practice Second Edition Alan Carr University
College Dublin and Clanwilliam Institute Dublin, Ireland retrieved from CLINICAL
PSYCHOLOGY, 5/4/2019.