Object relations psychodynamic theory

Question 1

Theory of change

Answer 1

Change occurs through both reparative experiences within the treatment relationship and from new insight into and modification of entrenched object relations pathology.

Question 2

Role of the therapist

Answer 2

Neutral; emphasis on transparent and counter transference; therapist as a new in object.

Question 3

Treatment goals

Answer 3

Providing repair experiences and building new internal structures; gaining inside into past relationships impact client functioning; improving relationships with self and others.

Question 4

Objects

Answer 4

Refers to persons in the external world. Individual seek objects (others) from birth.

Question 5

Internalization

Answer 5

Early infant/Caretaker interactions lead to the person internalizing basic attitudes towards self and other, characteristic relational patterns, and a repertoire of defenses and internal capacities.

Question 6

Self and object representations

Answer 6

Infants form images of themselves and others. Once formed, they are fundamental internal structures that affect the ways in which individual view themselves and others.

Question 7

Ego

Answer 7

The structure responsible for dealing with the world, for instituting defense mechanisms, for internalizing external objects, and for integrating and synthesizing self and object representations.

Question 8

Splitting

Answer 8

Two contradictory states, such as love and hate, are compartmentalized and not integrated

Question 9

Projection

Answer 9

Involves projecting undesirable feelings or emotions onto someone else, rather than admitting two or dealing with the unwanted feelings.

Question 10

• Projected identification

Answer 10

Refers to psychological process in which a person will project a thought or belief that they have onto a second person. Then, and in most common definitions of projective identification, there is another action in which the second person is changed by the projection and begins to behave as though they are, in fact, actually characterized by those thoughts or beliefs that have been projected.

Question 11

Introjection

Answer 11

Where the subject replicates in themselves behaviors, attributes, or other fragments of the surrounding world, specially of other people.

Question 12

Phases of Treatment: Beginning

Answer 12

Establish a holding environment. Build report and therapeutic alliance through listening, exploration of clients experience, empathy and, maintaining neutrality.

Question 13

Phases of Treatment: Middle

Answer 13

Promote insight and growth through interpretation period confronts resistance and primitive defense mechanisms. Focus on transference/counter transference dynamic. Identify and process objective identification.

Question 14

Phases of Treatment: End

Answer 14

Work through termination and abandonment issues. Consolidate interpretations. Review inside gain and therapy.