Psychodynamic Concepts and Mechanisms

Abstract

Doctors early in their careers sometimes doubt whether their understanding of psychodynamic concepts is sufficient for them to undertake psychological management. A reason for this is that psychodynamic concepts have been expressed in language as foreign to them as their own specialist jargon is to most psychotherapists. Another reason is that until recently psychoanalysts, tired of ill-informed criticism and cheap jibes, sought the age-old defence of forming associations/societies (“gangs”) requiring “initiation ceremonies” (training analysis). Soon, only initiates were regarded as competent to do psychotherapeutic work, and by implication others’ attempts would fail, or the patient or client would be damaged. Yet Freud himself, without prior instruction or initiation, managed well enough, but admitted it would have been helpful had he known about transference earlier than he did. It was 10 years before he appreciated the value of working through it in therapy.