Philosophy
What is special about psychodynamic counselling?
In defining counselling, I refer to both the German Society for Counselling (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Beratung) and the professional code of conduct of the Association of German Psychologists (Berufsverband Deutscher Psychologinnen und Psychologen), of which I am a member. Accordingly, counselling is a process that promotes psychological and action-oriented competence while providing support during developmental tasks and challenging situations. Its goal is to positively transform thinking, feeling, and acting, as well as to cultivate existing resources and unlock new ones. Negative factors in life should be reduced and competence in conflict resolution should be developed.
Or, in my own words: Counselling is a supportive service to help with problems and changes that seem too big for oneself. It helps you to get to know yourself better, to understand yourself, and ultimately to accept yourself with all – even the least palatable – aspects of your own personality. In this way, counselling can help restore a tangible sense of responsibility for your own life, so you are no longer at the mercy of seemingly invisible forces, endlessly repeating the same “mistakes.”
All of this takes place against the backdrop of our world, culture and society, which offer varying degrees of openness to different people and, of course, our physical bodies; which ultimately means that our freedom is not absolute.
Psychological counselling must always be grounded in theory, which is why my counselling is based on psychodynamics or psychoanalysis. Psychodynamic counselling – drawing here from the work of Heike Schnoor – is a specialized form of counselling, characterized by a focus on the interplay of psychological forces, which are composed of conscious and unconscious motives, fantasies, meanings, desires, and fears. According to this understanding, the presence of conflicts is not considered pathological, as the psyche exists within a constant conscious-unconscious tension field. However, some conflicts have the potential to keep us trapped.
Is psychodynamics or psychoanalysis still relevant today?
A common criticism of psychoanalysis is that it is conservative, anti-feminist, and outdated. I would, however, disagree with this. Psychoanalysis has been constantly evolving since its inception over a century ago; for instance, there are now intersectional-feminist currents alongside the continued development of classical theories. And admittedly, I do enjoy reading Freud and consider many of his concepts (the unconscious; ego, superego, id, life and death drives) essential for understanding the human psyche.
Psychodynamics can be understood as a special case of psychoanalysis. It draws on the same theoretical framework but differs in the way it works with clients. It is usually of shorter duration and more focused on the here and now.
What is the difference between psychotherapy and counselling?
The short answer: Only psychotherapy is a therapeutic method aimed at alleviating and curing mental disorders. The term “psychotherapy” is composed of the two words psyche (breath, spirit, soul) and therapeia (healing), both derived from ancient Greek. The earliest psychotherapeutic approaches date back to Sigmund Freud, whose school of thought, psychoanalysis, I follow.
… a fairy tale to illustrate my point
I like to use the following image to clarify the distinction. Imagine a castle surrounded by a moat and defended by a dragon. Inside, alongside the great hall where lavish feasts were once held, there are hidden treasure chambers, ancestral galleries, ghosts, secret passages, and cellars, where not only wine was stored, but also torture took place. From the castle tower, you have a wonderful view of the landscape surrounding the castle, inviting you to dream. Behind the thick walls, you feel safe and powerful. At times, however, the castle seems eerie, and you suddenly feel very small and insignificant. You may even find yourself afraid to leave the castle and explore the surrounding lands.
The castle symbolizes the psyche as a whole, with its unconscious, repressed, and conscious elements, as well as the manifold defense mechanisms designed to protect one’s innermost self, a space simultaneously inhabited by internal objects and memories. In addition, there are drives, feelings, desires and all personality traits that make us individuals; but there are also symptoms and pathologies.
Let us now turn to the lands beyond. The landscape surrounding the castle is enchanted. There are villages and towns, fertile fields, dangerous gorges, and the sea in the distance. A forest with magical springs, a witch’s house and a bridge troll, is also a must. Elves, who stride elegantly across the plains; dwarves, who dwell in the mountains; will-o’-the-wisps, that glow seductively in the swamps. Rare plants with healing powers and mushrooms with magical properties grow here.
In the distance, a hostile army prepares to conquer the lands and the castle, yet a friendly kingdom lies nearby. Hidden away are ruins from long-forgotten times and mysterious rituals are performed in the forest clearing.
You have surely realized by now that this enchanted world symbolizes the outside, with all its allure and dangers, cultures, adventures, new beginnings, and discoveries, as well as loss, illness, and death. Friends and foes await there, as do love and conflict in relationships, at the workplace, and wherever people meet. And, of course, all sorts of resources are found there, for the castle cannot sustain itself and depends on the world surrounding it.
Returning to the question of the difference between therapy and counselling. In psychodynamic or analytical therapy, the main focus is on the castle; taking into account, but not focusing on, the enchanted landscape. In counselling, the castle remains in one’s consciousness; its influence is acknowledged and it is often visited. However, the main focus lies on the surrounding lands. While the distinction between the castle (the psyche) and the lands (the psyche, with its perception of the outside world) is artificial, it is highly useful for the work, as it allows for clear boundaries and a specific focus.
About Me
Get to know me!
Services
Explore my consultation offers!
FAQ
Do you have any questions? Maybe my FAQ can help you out.