Series Parts:
Part 1 – The Human Condition – A Perspective
Part 2 – A Theoretical Approach to the Human Condition
Part 3 – A Synthesis of Three Theories
In his essay, Themes of Postmodernity, Steinar Kvales (1995) raises six issues, which the postmodern world is concerned with , four of which I would highlight:
- A doubt that any human truth is a simple objective representation of reality.
- A focus on the way societies use language to construct their own realities.
- A renewed interest in narrative and story-telling.
- Acceptance that different descriptions of reality cannot always be measured against one another in any final (i.e. objective and non-human) way.
Table of Contents
Post Modern Approaches of Psychotherapy
Postmodern approaches of psychotherapy include social constructionism; solution focused brief therapy, and narrative therapy. Corey (2009) [3] writes that “these new approaches challenge the basic assumptions of most of the traditional approaches by assuming that there is no single truth and that reality is socially constructed through human interaction”. The human condition is created by the individual within a context of “systems, interactions, social conditioning and discourse”. In this section of the essay, I shall evaluate three theories, Constructive Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Redecision Therapy, in terms of their applicability towards understanding human nature, function and dysfunction.
As discussed in the earlier part of this essay, the perspective on human nature and condition I am adopting is one that is postmodern, in which reality is dynamic, co-engineered by an individual and elements which surround him/her. With each theory, I shall attempt to highlight what is applicable and what is questionable.
Constructive Psychotherapy
Constructivism is a philosophy of participation in which individuals and communities are encouraged to be active in their own unfolding (Mahoney. M, 2003) [5]. As a psychotherapeutic approach, constructive psychotherapy is ‘an overview of practice as a series of tensions including collaboration and action, affirmation and hope, closings and openings, comforting and challenging’.
One of the central emphases of constructivism is process. Psychological stability, which clients seek, is viewed by a constructivist therapist within the context of process, of change. People can easily become ‘stuck’ in disorder (disorganization) when a complex self-organizing system is challenged beyond its current capacity to adapt. Mahoney and Marquis quote Basch (1984) [6] who writes that people are not crippled by emotion in and of itself, but by “the anticipation of experiencing the devastating, potentially disintegrating disappointment of early empathic failures if they dare once again reach emotional fulfillment”.
Johnny is a Hypothetical Client, and does not exist.
The story of a fifty year old ex-convict, Johnny, begins not with his crime for assault; neither does it end with it. However, his human condition alters with each experience, from the time he was abused by his father in which he was overwhelmed with confusion and shame, to the gang fights in which he abused others in seemingly glorious anger, to solitary nights in a cell where to cry is seen as unmanly.
Johnny experienced a period in which he was ‘stuck’ in disorder. He was not functioning the way society deemed ‘normal’, and in a way he had hoped for himself, not even as a child. Johnny shared that he had dreams of what his life would be like when he was younger but a gamut of tensions within himself, his family environment as he grew up, within his circle of gang peers and then in society at large, created confusion, frustrations and a distorted sense of self.
The principles of constructive psychotherapy and its approach towards change, bearing in mind Mahoney’s approach towards change, gives a sense of ownership and hope for Johnny:
- Many people do change.
- Dramatic changes (personal revolutions) are becoming more common.
- Intentional change is possible.
- Many changes bring greater engagement with life.
Working on the basis of these four principles, Johnny can begin to become aware of change that is constant; the effect it has on him; and if the human existence is about process and change, he can take ownership for his life, his life experiences, and create his definition of a positive life by making some changes in his current ‘stuck’ stage. Constructive Psychotherapy provides hope for Johnny that while change is constant, he can make positive changes to his existing human condition.
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
The approach of a Psychodynamic Psychotherapist reaches into a client’s past, to work with the client in understanding and bringing to light, previous childhood events and how these have affected the client’s present behaviours. “Psychotherapy is a process of engagement between two persons, both of whom are bound to change through the therapeutic venture.” (Corey, 2009) [3]. Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, fluid and not confined by structure, seeks to address a client’s presenting issue by highlighting and processing past events which have affected the client, causing the client to develop coping mechanisms as a child, but when applied as an adult are maladaptive. This process is achieved through a therapist’s interpretation, and a client’s insight, of transferential experiences between the client and therapist, of which the outcome would be that the client learns new coping skills when dealing with challenges in life.
Returning to the story of Johnny, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy allows him to process his past experiences as a child, to look at his human condition then, and how he developed coping mechanisms which perhaps helped when he was a child, but are maladaptive in his adulthood. The term ‘normal’ very often implies boundaries, what is allowed, and what is not. As a child, Johnny and his younger brother were often punished by his father with brutal beatings. He was not allowed to have a voice or stand up to his father when the latter hit his brother. In his young mind, a man hitting was, ‘allowed’ and others were not ‘allowed’ to hit back. When he assaulted others in gang fights, Johnny made sure the other person did not have a chance to hit back. Johnny shared that his inability to stand up for his own brother created much unresolved conflict within him as a failure, as, an elder brother.
Corey (2009) [3] writes that transference “is the client’s unconscious shifting to the analyst of feelings and fantasies that are reactions to significant others in the client’s past”. The client acts out the past, repeats behaviours which have been learnt and developed from the past, in present circumstance, specifically in the therapeutic alliance. In session, Johnny, whether consciously or unconsciously, may see me as his younger brother whom he needs to protect, whom he needs to apologize to. Working through transference issues, Johnny and I may be able to delve deeper into his past to put closure to grief, loss and betrayal.
It may also be useful to consider Johnny’s defense mechanisms, ones which are creating more problems above existing problems, ones which cause dysfunction and painful human conditions. It is common for an individual to need and use defenses from time to time. “Defenses are normal psychological mechanisms that help to maintain an individual’s mental stability. At times, defense mechanisms, such as avoidance, repression or aggression, are employed when a situation presents itself as overwhelming, distressing and/or unbearable. Breaking down defense mechanisms, while useful, is not as easy as it seems, especially when clients carry deep within painful trauma, and should be treated with care, caution and compassion”. (Bateman, Brown & Pedder, 2010) [2].
The journey of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, which works towards a deeper understanding of the self and the eventual creation of a therapist within the client, begins with a realization and recognition of the problem. With awareness, the client works through past issues and grief, eventually coming to terms with what has happened, letting go of maladaptive behaviours and taking steps to move on. The ‘challenged client’, by learning positive coping skills and being open to new choices, becomes the ‘empowered client’ beginning a new chapter in life. The therapist is essential to this transformation, using the alliance with the client to discover hidden hurts and triggering events, to feedback blind spots, to be empathetic and give hope for positive change.
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy encourages the understanding of human nature, not in broad strokes, but maintaining the unique story of each client, by going back into the past and creating a new human condition, in the now. With this new found awareness, clients can then search and create alternative, positive forms of living their lives, leading to an enhanced experience of the self, the environment and their relationships.
Redecision Therapy
The Gouldings taught that Redecision Therapy encourages clients to go to the past and examine an injunction that is dysfunctional, and through fantasy recreation, safely give it up. “He recreates the basement scene and this time does the scene the way he wants to do it.” They added that it is important to use Adult information, rooted in the present, for the client to think about what can be done to suit the here and now. As Robert Goulding wrote, “You have the power to change your own life.” (Goulding & Goulding, 1997). [4]
Redecision Therapy (RT) combines Transactional Analysis with the techniques of Gestalt Theory, in contracting the client for change which the client wishes to make. Clients are encouraged to look at their scripts, identify injunctions and drivers which have caused dysfunction in their adult lives, and to take steps to rewrite their scripts. It focuses on the client, who has the power to choose whether they want to change or not. As Oswald Summerton (1986) [7] wrote and, the Gouldings realized that as patients began to get in touch with the power they had as little kids making decisions, that made it possible for them to exist psychologically, if not physiologically. “It was realized that the patients would do better when they realized they had the power to change… an awareness of where [they] were, and where [they] were going under their own strength.”
Awareness is essential and Redecision Therapy pays much attention to the client’s awareness of the possibility for change and problem resolution. The moment the client is more aware, the possibilities of alternative, positive choices float into view. The client is then able to make a redecision in his life script.
Johnny had a few injunctions. One of them was “Don’t have a voice”. Johnny was often paralyzed in fear of his father’s beatings and could not muster the courage to stand up to his father. Redecision Therapy would allow Johnny to make a new choice of standing up to his father, through Gestalt’s two-chair therapy, in which he may confront his father. RT looks at a client’s life position, where there is an impasse and how to move forward. After having made a redecision, the next task is to help clients translate it into concrete actions in their daily lives (Allen & Allen, 2005) [1].
Redecision Therapy gives permission for the existence of each human being, its condition, normalcy and dysfunctions. It flips an injunction onto its upside to reveal the possibility of dealing with weaknesses and adversity with resilience and compassion. (Allen & Allen, 2005) [1] The understanding of the human condition follows the understanding of the existence of each human being. Corey (2009) [3] writes that existentialism “stands for respect for the person, for exploring new aspects of human behaviour, and for divergent methods of understanding people”. Redecision Therapy is a therapeutic approach which seeks to do that.
To read the first part of this article, head over to The Human Condition – A Perspective
Find out more about Centre for Psychotherapy (C4P)
References
[1] Allen, J. R., & Allen, B. A. (2005). Therapeutic Journey: Practice and Life. California: TA Press.
[2] Bateman, A., Brown, D., & Pedder, J. (2010). Introduction to Psychotherapy: An Outline of Psychodynamic Principles and Practice. East Sussex: Routledge.
[3] Corey, G. (2009). Theory & Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy. Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole.
[4] Goulding, M. M., & Goulding, R. L. (1997). Changing Lives Through Redecision Therapy. New York: Grove Press.
[5] Mahoney, M. (2003). Constructive Psychotherapy. New York: The Guilford Press.
[6] Mahoney, M., & Marquis, A. (n.d.). Integral Constructivism and Dymanic Systems in Psychotherapy. Constructivism , 794-813.
[7] Summerton, O. S. (1986). TA Winners. New Delhi: Oswald Summerton, S.J.
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