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The therapeutic landscape can be confusing for both practitioners and clients. Distinguishing between psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapy represents one of the most common areas of misunderstanding—even among seasoned mental health professionals.

We tackle this confusion head-on by exploring the fundamental differences between these two approaches. The classical psychoanalytic model employs that famous "blank slate" approach where therapists maintain neutrality as clients project their unconscious feelings. With multiple sessions per week potentially spanning years, psychoanalysis dives deep into unconscious processes through techniques like free association and dream analysis. Meanwhile, psychodynamic therapy offers a more accessible alternative—interactive, relationship-focused, and balancing insight with practical solutions for current challenges.

For therapists preparing for licensure exams, we break down the key distinctions you'll need to know. We explore assessment tools unique to each approach, duration expectations, and appropriate client scenarios. Our practice question demonstrates exactly how this material might appear on your exam: when a client presents with interpersonal conflicts and needs both insight and actionable strategies, psychodynamic therapy typically represents the optimal choice. By understanding these therapeutic approaches and their distinct applications, you'll be better equipped to tailor your clinical work to each client's unique needs while confidently navigating your professional examinations. Whether you're studying for boards or looking to expand your therapeutic toolkit, these insights will serve as powerful additions to your professional knowledge base.

If you need to study for your national licensing exam, try the free samplers at: LicensureExams


This podcast is not associated with the NBCC, AMFTRB, ASW, ANCC, NASP, NAADAC, CCMC, NCPG, CRCC, or any state or governmental agency responsible for licensure.

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We explore Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), covering diagnosis criteria, progression, causes, and effective treatment approaches according to the DSM.

• AUD falls under substance-related disorders in the DSM with 11 specific criteria
• Severity is classified as mild (2-3 criteria), moderate (4-5), or severe (6+ criteria)
• Criteria include drinking more than intended, inability to quit, cravings, and withdrawal symptoms
• People often drink to self-medicate stress, trauma, or negative emotions
• Effective treatment requires individualized approaches rather than one-size-fits-all solutions
• The trans-theoretical model (stages of change) recognizes recovery as a cyclical journey
• Motivational interviewing helps clients explore ambivalence and move toward healthier choices
• Family therapy helps relatives understand AUD and provide appropriate support
• Other effective approaches include contingency management, DBT, and relapse prevention
• Key assessment tools include AUDIT-C, CAGE, TWEAK, T-ACE, CRAFFT, and ASSIST
• Recovery should be viewed as a journey with potential relapses, not a one-time fix

Remember it's in there, it's in there.

If you need to study for your national licensing exam, try the free samplers at: LicensureExams


This podcast is not associated with the NBCC, AMFTRB, ASW, ANCC, NASP, NAADAC, CCMC, NCPG, CRCC, or any state or governmental agency responsible for licensure.

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We explore premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a frequently misunderstood and misdiagnosed condition that therapists should understand for their licensing exams. PMDD is characterized as a severe form of PMS that significantly disrupts daily functioning with symptoms emerging during the luteal phase and improving shortly after menstruation begins.

• PMDD must be distinguished from other mood disorders by its cyclical pattern
• DSM criteria require at least five symptoms present in the week before menses, improving within days after onset
• Symptoms include marked affective lability, irritability, depression, anxiety, decreased interest in activities, and physical symptoms
• PMDD typically emerges after puberty with peak incidence in late 20s to early 30s
• Symptoms abate during pregnancy but typically return after delivery
• Common comorbidities include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, borderline personality disorder, and eating disorders
• First-line treatments include SSRIs and hormonal contraceptives
• Cognitive behavioral therapy shows strong outcomes for managing symptoms
• Assessment tools like the Daily Record of Severity of Problems help track symptoms over multiple cycles
• A multimodal approach combining medication, therapy, and lifestyle modifications is most effective

Remember that PMDD is in the DSM and represents a severe condition with significant functional impairment that distinguishes it from more common premenstrual symptoms.

If you need to study for your national licensing exam, try the free samplers at: LicensureExams


This podcast is not associated with the NBCC, AMFTRB, ASW, ANCC, NASP, NAADAC, CCMC, NCPG, CRCC, or any state or governmental agency responsible for licensure.