Theoretical Orientation

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Looking at the movie “Silver Linings Playbook” from the psychological point of view, it is clear that the situation with the main character, Pat (performed by Bradley Cooper) sparks interest in the light of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. In this respect, the application of theoretical orientation should be analyzed step by step in accordance with the pivotal points in order to understand and then be able to treat the client.

First of all, it is vital to note that the client’s behavior has a multifaceted character. The first reason is that he once suffered from the bipolar disorder and then was treated in a mental health facility during the period of eight months (Russell, 2012). On the other hand, before that moment, he had a family and a wife with whom he wants to reconcile. Third, he sees no positive shifts in their relationships with the wife, as there were multiple episodes when he busted his wife with another man. Moreover, he has problems with parents and is assigned to go through the additional course of psychotherapy, even though he already spent eight months in a mental health facility. So, the client is well forced toward negative behaviors by multiple reasons. Over the course of treatment, it is vital to ask the client whether he is able to agree that his depression is still with him.

Obviously, the client suffers from the inner mismatch he experiences while trying to restore a normal life with his current wife in conjunction with the encounter with Tiffany, a new woman in his life who wants to help him in his misery. His psychic tension is quite high, because the client feels a constant confusion about what he is willing to do and how it can be achieved. Hence, the first step for a therapist is to delve deep into the themes and experiences that led to the client’s depression (Bourgeois, Hales, Young, & Yudofsky, 2009). There should be a deep insight into the client’s set of problems on the part of a therapist. The questions chosen to drive the therapy should touch upon the consciousness of the client, namely:

• Do you feel that your anger in many points is uncontrollable?

• Have you ever tried to take care of people showing much of your devotion to and responsibility for them?

• Do you feel helpless when it seems that nobody listens to you or ignores you due to different reasons, as they think?

• Do you think that you are dependent on the will of your parents, your wife, and other close relatives or friends?

• Do you agree that all people are selfish and that it is useless to show people your selflessness?

In the course of the therapy, the therapist should be quiet, calm, and very attentive to what the client says waiting for a particular pause in the client’s speech in order to add some comments. It is not appropriate to interrupt the client to avoid his impulsiveness and aggression. The three treatment goals are as follows:

1. To fight the clients denial of the real state of affairs around him;

2. To project his emotions and feelings on the positive sides the client has at the moment;

3. To form a normal way of reacting on the events happening in the client’s life.