History of psychology
Branches of psychologyThe principles of psychodynamics were first introduced in the 1874 publication Lectures on Physiology by German scientist Ernst Wilhelm von Brücke. Brücke, taking a cue from thermodynamics, suggested all living organisms are energy systems, governed by the principle of energy conservation. During the same year, Brücke was supervisor to first-year medical student Sigmund Freud at the University of Vienna. Freud later adopted this new construct of “dynamic” physiology to aid in his own conceptualization of the human psyche. Later, both the concept and application of psychodynamics was further developed by the likes of Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, Otto Rank, and Melanie Klein [2].
Most psychodynamic approaches centered around the concept that some maladaptive functioning is in play, and that this maladaption is, at least in part, unconscious. The presumed maladaption develops early in life and eventually causes dissonance in day to day life. The psychodynamic therapist first intervenes to treat the discomfort associated with the poorly formed function[citation needed], then helps the client acknowledge the existence of the maladaption, while working with the client to develop strategies for change.
Although psychodynamic psychotherapy can take many forms, commonalities include[3]
