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My name is Heidi Cardona-Tejera. I am currently enrolled in the Mental Health and Wellness Counseling Program. I have one more semester before I graduate with my master’s degree. I am an Active-Duty service member in the United States Army. I am currently stationed in Fort Liberty, North Carolina, and work as a Biomedical Equipment Technician.  My career goal is to specialize in either addiction counseling or family counseling when I get out of the military. One goal for this course is to have adequate time to accomplish my coursework on time and where I do not have to stress about deadlines.

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Rorschach inkblots

It is a test that allows clients to interpret what the images created by the ink represent to them. There is no “right” answer to what the ink picture represents. It allows counselors to dive deeper into what the client's unconscious gravitates toward. (McLeod, 2024)

Freudian Slips

This is thought to be an unconscious thought or idea that is spoken that was not intended to be said. This is believed to be the person's true feelings or views that they do not want others to know. (McLeod, 2024)

Free association

This technique is used by psychoanalysts by stating a word or phrase and allowing the client free range to describe what comes to mind. The therapist provides insight into their response and may help the client resurface memories that may be linked to that word or phrase.  (McLeod, 2024)

Dream Analysis

The therapist analyzes the clients' symbols and objects that are described in their dreams. It is thought that the clients' concern is often demonstrated in a type of symbol to protect the awareness of their consciousness. Freud believed “that the conscious mind is like a censor but is less vigilant when we sleep”. (McLeod, 2024)

Patients Denial

Having a client who is in denial will make it difficult to process the information that is provided by the counselors. However, that same denial gives insight to the counselor to see what subjects hit a nerve with the clients.  There are ego analysts who “argue that defense mechanisms are the ego’s unconscious tools for warding off a confrontation with anxiety” (McLeod, 2024)

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Resistance:

The notion that a strong emotion or thought that a person does not want to explore happens and the person uses other factors to try and resist the urge to understand what they are going through. This can be seen by changing the subject if the conversation is getting too close, they want to resist or engage in activities that will occupy their time and head space not to ponder what they are facing.

Transference:

The predetermined response or way of thinking is due to past experiences. Most of these experiences begin with the family, such as interactions with parents or siblings. These transference ideas are then applied to current or future relationships, whether romantic, platonic, or work-related.

Attachment Theory:

This theory applies to the attachment a child, more importantly, an infant has to their caregiver. The four fundamentals of the theory are proximity maintenance, separation distress, safe haven, and secure base. This theory affects both the child and the caregiver.

Trauma:

It is described as a physical or psychical wound that shocks the system. Trauma can be seen after a physical blow such as being in an explosion or an emotional blow such as the death of a loved one. Through medication and counseling, patients can understand the cause of their trauma and find ways to cope with the side effects that come from it.

(Psychoanalytic Theory & Approaches – American Psychoanalytic Association, 2024)

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The seven critical ideas associated with the Adlerian theory are Unity of the individual, Goal Orientation, Self-determination and uniqueness, social contest, the feeling of community, mental health, and treatment. (Adler Graduate School, 2022)

There are four stages in which Adlerian theory is conducted/. First is engagement which is the communication between the patient and the counselor. Next is assessment, where the counselor dives deeper into understanding their client and their troubles. After that is insight, where the counselor can give advice or further guidance to what the client is feeling or experiencing. Lastly is reorientation, where the counselor helps the client develop new habits or skills to combat what they may be facing. (MSEd, 2023)

Sigmund Freud suggested that the mind comprises three parts, the Id, the Ego, and the Super Ego. (Rosenberg, 2020)

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How does psychoanalysis take into account children, adolescents, and adults that have autistic traits? How will counselors be able to distinguish the difference between theories and symptoms associated with autism?

With patients that are in denial, how are some ways that can assist the clients in accepting what they are wanting to hide or not acknowledge?

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According to some studies that were conducted using real and “fake” patients, regarding the therapist and client relationship, the “more effective the therapist is as a social reinforcer, the more effective he or she is at causing change is the client” (The Therapeutic Relationship- Part I, s. f.).

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The Therapeutic Relationship- part I. (s. f.). http://www.psychpage.com/learning/library/counseling/thxrel.html

Psychoanalytic Theory & Approaches – American Psychoanalytic Association. (2024, 8 octubre). https://apsa.org/about-psychoanalysis/psychoanalytic-theory-approaches/#toggle-id-5

McLeod, S., PhD. (2024). Psychoanalysis: Freud’s Psychoanalytic Approach to Therapy. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/psychoanalysis.html

Adler Graduate School. (2022, 23 junio). Alfred Adler: Theory and Application - Adler Graduate School. https://www.alfredadler.edu/about/alfred-adler-theory-application/

MSEd, K. C. (2023, 4 mayo). What to Know About Adlerian Theory. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/alderian-theory-definition-techniques-and-efficacy-5213796

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As someone who does not have much experience with counseling, I can only apply this knowledge to what I want to do in my future career. I want to further my knowledge and education on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, more specifically with military service members. In this case, I believe that Psychoanalysis theory would be appropriate to use when counseling clients with PTSD. Many service members go through experiences that can impact their mental state. By using free association, clients can express their feelings without facing judgment.

Transference theory is also important when assessing military members because the military consists of people of all different cultures and backgrounds. With clients willing to understand what ideas are transferred from their past, they can become more willing to view people objectively thus improving the culture in which they work.

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Psychoanalysis is based on how the clients feel from experience and how they react to encounters that are similar to that original experience. No two experiences are the same and no two people will respond the same to one singular experience. With that, sometimes it can be difficult to have a cookie-cutter answer based on what the theory entails. I haven't had the chance to work with people or been in a setting where I have to assess individuals, however, I do have soldiers who are under my command. With that, I can see how different people respond to situations across the company.