Chapter 3 - Neoanalytic

Neo-analytic theory is an subset of the psychoanalytic theory. There are some major differences that separate the two theories. Some of these differences include a de-emphasis of sexuality and the importance of the unconscious. Instead, neo-analytic  theorists emphasized the importance of the ego. There are four major variants of the neo-analytic thought: Ego Psychology, Object Relations, Self Psychology and Relational Psychoanalysis. Anna Freud is associated with being an Ego Psychologist. She believed that her father did not give enough attention to the ego. Melanie Klein was a neo-analytic theorist who focused on Object Relations and she incorporated adult techniques into child analysis. Sandor Franzecki and Stack Sullivan established Relational Psychoanalysis that focuses on the analyst being a participant observer. Finally, Heinz Kohut is associated with Self Psychology which focuses on a clients unmet developmental needs. Generally, Neo-Analytic theorists believe that people are motivated by conflicts between the unconscious and conscious.

All of the therapeutic techniques are the same as the psycho-analytic approach. However, one is of utmost importance for this approach. Interpretation is especially important because of the significance of the counselor-client relationship. Understanding and explanation are big parts of interpretation.

Video: Focusing on Past Relationships in Therapy
This video relates to the chapter because the counselor focuses on client and his feelings, when the client tries to focus on his wife and her feelings. The client is concerned because he doesn't feel excited that his wife is pregnant, and she says that it isn't normal. He expresses concerns about being like his father, distant and aloof. The counselor points out the clients slip, he says fathering instead of following - demonstrating his anxiety about becoming a father. This slip and the counselor's ability to catch the slip demonstrates the neoanalytic approach by pointing out the conflict between the clients unconscious and conscious.