Question

1. Differentiate the Psychoanalytic model and treatment with the Cognitive treatment method of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Discuss the purpose and method of each. Describe the ways in which each are utilized to help an individual achieve improved mental health. Use examples.

Answer 1

Both psychoanalysis and cognitive behavioral therapy are behavioral therapies or treatments for several mental health conditions. However, both the models differ on their approaches and techniques. The differences can be observed as follows:

Psychoanalytic model and treatment

• Purpose: The psychoanalytic model or approach to treatment aims at bringing to surface the deeper thoughts and behavioral patterns of a person who has these thoughts in his/her unconscious mind. While the person is unaware of these thoughts, the psychoanalytic treatment digs up the thoughts. This helps the person in identifying how these hidden thoughts have been affecting his/her present behavior.
• Method: Psychoanalysis is a long-term treatment that may even take years to complete. There may be long, frequent sessions that involve the study of an individual’s past, usually by studying their childhood. While the therapist in this method does not talk much, it is the suffering individual who talks aimlessly. The therapist’s role is to listen to the speech and find out the patterns in his/her thoughts, as well as any contradictions. It is a technique of free association.
• How it helps to improve mental health: It is the exploration of a person’s inner psyche when it comes to the psychoanalytic approach. While cognitive behavioral therapy is a short-term solution to mental health improvement, psychoanalysis takes a long time to delve deeper into the mind. The approach is helpful to treat the psychiatric symptoms of deep-rooted mental disorders. For example, a person may be fearful or aversive to sexual thoughts because of abuse as a child, and thus, may not be able to develop a healthy relationship with a partner. However, it may not be in his/her conscious mind. The psychoanalyst can draw out such association by carefully analyzing the person’s unconscious thoughts and his/her words. The therapy brings to light this unconscious association and helps the person heal his/her mind, thus correcting the problem behavior from its root.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Purpose: CBT is a practical approach aimed at correcting the behavior and thought patterns that have been leading an individual to a problem. The cognitive approach considers the cognitive processes as the roots of a mental health issue. Thus, any negative, irrational, fearful or even harmful thoughts are identified and replaced by productive and healthy thought patterns.
• Method: Being a short-term therapy, CBT involves a few short sessions with the individual, based on the severity of his/her condition and problem. The therapist identifies negative thought patterns and helps an individual in setting clear goals to remove such thought patterns. This prevents the individual from taking any harmful or drastic steps.
• How it helps to improve mental health: CBT is helpful in treating a variety of mental health issues, such as drug and alcohol abuse, phobias, anxiety, depression, anger, eating disorders, negative habits, sleep issues, and even relationship problems. As an example, an individual may be feeling low on workdays and may not be able to concentrate while in office. He may be thinking of himself as a loser who spoils everything or with whom everything negative occurs at work. Resultantly, he may be withdrawing from his workplace. However, CBT can identify the reasons behind his negative thoughts about himself and make him aware of these. With the help of the therapist, the individual can explore the workable areas to correct his negative thoughts. The therapist can help him find ways to change his feelings, thoughts and attitudes that are not going to help him. When the person understands what change is required, he can take small steps to bring about that change to his routine and work life. From CBT sessions, he gains the skills of feeling more positive about himself. Through constant efforts, he can eliminate his negative thoughts and develops the ability to see the positive side of things he neglected previously. This slowly replaces his negativity with a positive image of himself. Thus CBT, with its practical coping strategies, trains a person’s mind to think positively and brings improvement to his/her mental health.