Counselling & Psychotherapy
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Item Digital objects of contemporary culture and their impact on the earliest social bond(Dublin Business School, 2020) Culbert, Deirdre; McCoy, StephenThe mother-child bond is the earliest and most important relationship for the developing infant. In this critical phase of development, the interactions between the child and its environment, particularly with the mother, is the determining factor in the development of the child’s psychological wellbeing (Winnicott, 1965b, p. 49). “Digital Objects” in everyday life are changing behaviour patterns, in particular those of connection and communication. This study aims to explore early childhood development and maternal connection in view of digital object proliferation. It will seek to understand the influence of technology on human behaviour. The study will explore the Winnicottian concept of the mother-child dyad and his theoretical concept of play. The research will assess if the presence of digital objects is sufficient to disrupt the ‘good-enough’ environment in the child’s emotional development.Item An exploration of ‘earned-secure’ attachment and the role of attachment-informed psychotherapy(Dublin Business School, 2020) White, Meriel; Moore, HeatherIt is believed that up to 35% of the global population falls within the insecure categories of attachment, and that these insecurely attached individuals make up the majority of psychotherapy clients. Whilst research supports the stability of attachment patterns across the lifespan, as well as their transmission intergenerationally, a promising recent finding of attachment research is the discovery of a group in adult attachment studies termed “earnedsecure”. This group includes individuals who appear to have created lasting change and moved from outdated, insecure childhood models of relating, to more ‘democratic’, resilient and flexible ways of navigating the world. This paper reviews the concept of earned-secure attachment and what sets these individuals apart from their insecurely attached counterparts. It also examines the importance of a reparative relationship in providing a secure base experience for self-exploration, to help counteract sub-optimal or pre-pathogenic primary attachment relationships. The possibility of change towards earned-secure attachment offers huge opportunities to the practice of psychotherapy in guiding the therapist and informing their clinical practice. How attachment-informed psychotherapy facilitates such a change, is examined across the domains of the therapeutic relationship, non-verbal communication and the stance of self towards experience. Through provision of a corrective emotional experience, a client is enabled to integrate their different dimensions of self and internalise a secure base in order to move forward with a sense of self and interpersonal agency.Item An exploration of the role of creativity in psychotherapy(Dublin Business School, 2020) Scanlon, Siobhan; Donohue, GráinneThis paper explores the role of creativity in psychotherapy with focus on the intrinsic and interpersonal application of creativity in this context. The objective is to understand if there is a need for creative training in psychotherapy training. It starts with an exploration of creativity in human behavior and how new ideas originate. Then it covers the interpersonal nature of creativity and the processes that underlie this with focus on the individuality as well as co-creation in the therapeutic space. Finally, it discussed the application of creativity in psychotherapy including the therapeutic alliance, leveraging intuition as well as its limitations.Item The efficacy of interpersonal therapy as a psychotherapeutic intervention in the treatment of postpartum depression(Dublin Business School, 2020) Rhattigan, Yvonne; O’Donnell, SiobainPostpartum Depression (PPD) is a serious depressive disorder that negatively affects some women, challenging their sense of identity in their newly altered reality, leaving them distraught and anxious, while they care for their new baby. PPD is a common but incapacitating condition that can, in some cases, be life-threatening. PPD has a profound impact on the patient, her baby, the mother-infant relationship and has further implications for her partner and wider family. PPD can be diagnosed if the patient is capable of disclosing how she is really feeling to her clinician. PPD is however, often undiagnosed and untreated. Biological and psychosocial risk factors for PPD have been identified in recent studies. Treatment for PPD is dependent on the severity of its symptoms and the patient’s ability to function. PPD is a treatable disorder. This dissertation examined Interpersonal Therapy as a treatment for PPD. This study explored IPT as a psychotherapy that presents the patient with a biopsychosocial model, as a way of understanding her situation. Findings endorse an emphasis on interpersonal dysfunction and conflict resolution in the present, making it a practical therapy, linking triggers to the patient’s mood. This theoretical research has attempted to evaluate Interpersonal Therapy as a treatment for women with PPD. Findings of this study have revealed that IPT is an effective, but relatively new method of treatment for PPD. IPT is still in its infancy and has moved from clinical research to clinical practice in numerous countries around the world, including Ireland. This research has concluded therefore, that IPT, as a new therapy, requires further research, if it is to be evaluated comprehensively in Ireland. As a major public health issue, it is imperative that PPD is screened for, diagnosed and treated, to allow new mothers a more positive experience with their new babies.Item Social media and adolescents: a double-edged sword(Dublin Business School, 2020) Bunworth, Tess; O’Donnell, SiobainSocial media use has become increasingly prevalent in young people’s lives. It impacts adolescents’ lives both positively and negatively. Therapists must be aware of its impacts, both positive and negative, and be familiar with social media in order to fully understand the adolescent’s world. Therapists should both support and guide the adolescent in their social media use. This theoretical dissertation assesses what the key positive and negative impacts of social media are on the adolescent, and the impact they have on the therapeutic relationship, analysing key literature around the topic from the last ten years. It evaluates the therapist’s role in helping the adolescent to navigate their use of social media and building an awareness around the effects that social media has on their life.