Psychotherapeutic Models for Intervention
Kelsey Nairn
Honors in Applied Social Sciences
South African College of Applied Psychology (Pty) Ltd.
Psychotherapeutic Models for Intervention
Joy Nel
17th October 2022
, Table of Contents
Psychoanalytic Theory Applied to the Case of Tracy................................................................3
Psychoanalytic Theory...........................................................................................................3
Major Constructs................................................................................................................4
Id, Ego, and Superego..................................................................................................5
Psychosexual Development.........................................................................................5
Life and Death Instincts...............................................................................................6
Defense Mechanisms...................................................................................................6
Dream Analysis............................................................................................................7
Attachments..................................................................................................................8
Intervention Strategies........................................................................................................9
Limitations of a Psychanalytic Approach to Psychotherapy in a Multicultural Context.......9
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................9
Works Cited..............................................................................................................................11
Appendix A: The Case of Tracy (Pseudonym)........................................................................13
Presenting Problems.............................................................................................................13
Family Background..............................................................................................................14
Early Adult Years.................................................................................................................15
Appendix B: Consent...............................................................................................................18
, Psychoanalytic Theory Applied to the Case of Tracy
Psychoanalytic theory is based on the idea that people are often unaware of the
multiple factors contributing to their maladaptive behaviors or distressing emotions.
Psychoanalytic techniques and strategies aim to make the client aware of how their
unconscious thoughts and defenses formed early in life and how it affects their
behavioral patterns, relationships, and mental health in general (Shedler, 2009). This highly
personalized form of psychotherapeutic treatment sets its goals in demonstrating how early
childhood experiences influence the way an individual's personality develops over time
(Wedding & Corsini, 2019).
The following essay aims to apply psychoanalytic theory to the case of Tracy in
relation to the problems she is currently facing and better understand how they came to exist.
Psychoanalytic Theory
Based on Sigmund Freud's groundbreaking work, psychoanalytic theory significantly
impacted the psychology realm between 1856 and 1939. Throughout Freud's professional
life, psychological explanations of how the human mind functions were dominated by his
theories regarding unconscious drives, psychosexual development, and coping mechanisms
(Attached, Fernandez & Mackesy). Psychoanalysis was initially used to treat mentally ill
patients. It has since evolved into a novel idea for comprehending the human mind. Although
Sigmund Freud was the first to use the premise that the unconscious mind governs human
behaviors as the foundation for psychoanalysis, this theory has been reevaluated and
developed throughout the past century (Attached, Fernandez, & Mackesy).
While traditional psychoanalysis relied on traditional techniques to achieve
counseling goals, the theoretical underpinnings have evolved to encompass multicultural
considerations and implications for psychotherapy to increase the effectiveness of this
Kelsey Nairn
Honors in Applied Social Sciences
South African College of Applied Psychology (Pty) Ltd.
Psychotherapeutic Models for Intervention
Joy Nel
17th October 2022
, Table of Contents
Psychoanalytic Theory Applied to the Case of Tracy................................................................3
Psychoanalytic Theory...........................................................................................................3
Major Constructs................................................................................................................4
Id, Ego, and Superego..................................................................................................5
Psychosexual Development.........................................................................................5
Life and Death Instincts...............................................................................................6
Defense Mechanisms...................................................................................................6
Dream Analysis............................................................................................................7
Attachments..................................................................................................................8
Intervention Strategies........................................................................................................9
Limitations of a Psychanalytic Approach to Psychotherapy in a Multicultural Context.......9
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................9
Works Cited..............................................................................................................................11
Appendix A: The Case of Tracy (Pseudonym)........................................................................13
Presenting Problems.............................................................................................................13
Family Background..............................................................................................................14
Early Adult Years.................................................................................................................15
Appendix B: Consent...............................................................................................................18
, Psychoanalytic Theory Applied to the Case of Tracy
Psychoanalytic theory is based on the idea that people are often unaware of the
multiple factors contributing to their maladaptive behaviors or distressing emotions.
Psychoanalytic techniques and strategies aim to make the client aware of how their
unconscious thoughts and defenses formed early in life and how it affects their
behavioral patterns, relationships, and mental health in general (Shedler, 2009). This highly
personalized form of psychotherapeutic treatment sets its goals in demonstrating how early
childhood experiences influence the way an individual's personality develops over time
(Wedding & Corsini, 2019).
The following essay aims to apply psychoanalytic theory to the case of Tracy in
relation to the problems she is currently facing and better understand how they came to exist.
Psychoanalytic Theory
Based on Sigmund Freud's groundbreaking work, psychoanalytic theory significantly
impacted the psychology realm between 1856 and 1939. Throughout Freud's professional
life, psychological explanations of how the human mind functions were dominated by his
theories regarding unconscious drives, psychosexual development, and coping mechanisms
(Attached, Fernandez & Mackesy). Psychoanalysis was initially used to treat mentally ill
patients. It has since evolved into a novel idea for comprehending the human mind. Although
Sigmund Freud was the first to use the premise that the unconscious mind governs human
behaviors as the foundation for psychoanalysis, this theory has been reevaluated and
developed throughout the past century (Attached, Fernandez, & Mackesy).
While traditional psychoanalysis relied on traditional techniques to achieve
counseling goals, the theoretical underpinnings have evolved to encompass multicultural
considerations and implications for psychotherapy to increase the effectiveness of this
