In psychodynamic therapy, the therapist is assumed to understand the client's intrapsychic conflicts better than the client does. What follows from this assumption?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → The therapist interprets the client's thoughts and feelings to her or him
Option (1) The therapist sets up alternate behavioural contingencies to improve behaviour — Incorrect. Setting up alternate behavioural contingencies is the method of behaviour therapy, after it identifies faulty conditioning patterns.
Option (2) The therapist merely provides a warm, empathic relationship for the client — Incorrect. A warm, empathic relationship, in which the client explores her problems by herself, is the view of existential therapies.
Option (3) The therapist interprets the client's thoughts and feelings to her or him — Correct. Because the therapist is assumed to understand the conflicts better, <strong>it is the therapist who interprets</strong> the client's thoughts and feelings to her or him. This helps the client understand them.
Option (4) The client arrives at the solutions through a process of personal growth — Incorrect. In existential therapy the therapist is a facilitator, and the client arrives at the solutions through personal growth.
NCERT (2026-27): “TYPE OF THERAPIES … “Psychodynamic therapy assumes that the therapist understands the client’s intrapsychic conflicts better than the client and hence it is the therapist who interprets the thoughts and feelings of the client to her/him so that s/he gains an understanding of the same. …” |