The psychodynamic approach
Learning Objectives
After considering this resource, you should understand the framework for, and theory underpinning, the psychodynamic approach, as well as its advantages and disadvantages for practice.
Developed over the 1920s through to the 1950s, the psychodynamic approach brought a new awareness to social work practice. It proposed that social problems stemmed from 'within' the person and his/her ability to meet his/her psychological needs. The focus of this intervention is on treating the person therefore, and emphasis is placed on the individual, rather than their environment.
It is an exploratory approach, where analysis and interpretation are essential elements of the process and in which, the social worker works in therapeutic alliance with the recipient. Based on trust, common purpose and commitment, its historical benefits - for example, the theories, concepts and skills - continue to contribute to social work practice today.
The following quick guide, authored by Marie Joseph, explores the psychodynamic approach more fully, including the theory underlying this intervention and the advantages and disadvantages of it.
Reflective Questions
- How will your own ability to establish an effective working relationship with a service user influence the success of this approach?
- How empowering do you think the psychodynamic approach is for a service user? How might you increase empowerment for a service user?
- As an open-ended intervention, what might you need to consider before selecting the psychodynamic approach as a method?
- How might the psychodynamic approach emphasis social divisions?