0691 - Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Course Description

Hours: 12

Psychodynamic psychotherapy is a form of talk therapy that focuses on understanding how unconscious thoughts, emotions, past experiences and relationship patterns influence a person’s current feelings, behaviours and difficulties. It is based on the idea that people are often shaped by experiences and emotional conflicts outside of their conscious awareness, particularly those formed in early relationships and throughout development.

The goal of psychodynamic psychotherapy is to help clients gain insight into these underlying patterns so they can better understand themselves, improve relationships, increase emotional awareness and develop healthier ways of coping. The therapy pays close attention to recurring themes in a person’s life, emotional reactions, defense mechanisms, attachment patterns and the therapeutic relationship itself as sources of information about the client’s inner world.

This two-day Professional Development course provides an in-depth exploration of psychodynamic assessment and intervention through the integration of theory, case analysis and experiential learning. On Day 1, participants will examine major comparative psychological theories through clinical case studies, including Drive Theory (Freud), Ego Development (Anna and Sigmund Freud), Object Relations and Attachment Theory (Bowlby, Ainsworth, Main) and Self-Psychology (Kohut). Emphasis will be placed on identifying the underlying psychological dynamics present within each case and determining how assessment informs treatment planning. Participants will explore how levels of ego functioning, attachment organization and defense mechanisms influence clinical decision-making, including when to utilize supportive versus uncovering interventions.

On Day 2, participants will focus on treatment planning and intervention through applied roleplays and clinical practice exercises. The course will examine supportive techniques such as:

• advising
• collaborating
• encouraging
• instructing
• modelling
• naming
• providing practical support
• protecting
• redirecting
• reinforcing and discouraging behaviours
• soothing
• structuring
• supplying

Participants will also explore uncovering techniques, including:

• affect exploration
• clarification
• confrontation
• constructing personal narratives
• working with countertransference
• dreams
• free association
• interpretation
• resistance
• transference
• unconscious conflict and defense.

Through guided experiential learning, participants will develop greater confidence in selecting and applying interventions that are developmentally appropriate, clinically attuned and responsive to client capacity and psychological organization.

Notes

Time Zone: All listed class times are held in ET (Ontario, Canada)

For more information contact the Faculty of Social Work Professional Development office:

Email: fswprofessionaldevelopment@wlu.ca
Phone: 548-889-4967

Cancellations and Transfers
Be sure to carefully review our cancellation and transfer information before registering.

Website: wlu.ca/fswpd

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

• Counselling Techniques Certificate : Counselling Techniques