Case Study: Tiffany, African American Female Aged 25

Introduction

Case study refers to a study of the development of an individual, or a group, over a period of time. My research dwells on the life of a patient who is an African American female aged 25 and called is Tiffany. Her nationality is Haitian and religion is Christianity. Her sexual orientation is heterosexual. She is currently employed full time by ACS. She studied bachelors in criminal justice and currently pursuing master's in sociology. Furthermore, the client is free of any signs of disability.

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The Psychoanalysis Theory

The goal of the psychoanalysis process was to enable the patients to relive various moments in life so that they can release the repressed sensations and experiences (Fonagy, 2018). Therefore, the foundation of the psychoanalysis theory is making the patient sensible or aware of what is happening in his life. The counselor on the other hand is tasked with a duty to uncover the patient's hidden thoughts through detailed communication.

A case study in psychology, therefore, means the use of an expressive research method to find a detailed review of an individual, group, or phenomenon. The psychoanalysis theory's primary goal is to help Tiffany assess, scrutinize and understand be aware of herself. Therefore, the knowledge of the unconscious state of mind is essential for Tiffany in making her mind aware of the experiences affecting her. Hence, the main goal of the case study is trying to bring self-awareness to the patient through psychoanalysis techniques. The purpose of the above procedure on the patient is that it helps in bringing self-awareness and also in solving psychological problems on the patient.

Interventions and Techniques to be Applied

Psychologists use a variety of responses and techniques to enhance the efficiency of the psychoanalysis theory. Some of the methods applicable to Tiffany are encouragements to make her develop understandings about her behavior and also to create understanding into the meaning of the symptoms. Other interventions and techniques appropriate to Tiffany's case include allowing her free association and interpretation. Some other methods can be used which include resistance analysis which helps unblock her memory, thereby enabling her to relieve her childhood experiences.

Cultural Considerations

The theory of my study is founded on changing the unconscious state of mind of a patient and thus bringing awareness. The method to apply to Tiffany will revolve around reflecting her internal reflection on her state of memory starting from the past to the present. The cultural concerns of the theory are that her subconscious mind could have connections to the emotional challenges that she goes through. Therefore, this means that the study will involve an assessment and investigation into the unconscious mind of Tiffany to enable her to relive herself from past emotions and experiences.

Strengths and Limitations

The psychologist calls for Tiffany to reflect on her innermost self and use her unconscious state of mind to help solve the problems that she is undergoing. One of the importance of this theory is the ability to elaborate the state of her human development as it permits the psychologist to observe her past and by noting down significant changes in her human development can tell directions and patterns are essential for her mental functioning. This, therefore, means that the psychologist is better placed to help Tiffany.

The theory, however, has several limitations and especially about Tiffany. First and foremost, the procedure depends entirely on the control of the patient who has to reflect the past and her current state of mind. In most cases, the patient is required to focus on her unconscious mind while still a child the psychologist will need her to focus on the unconscious mind when she was a child. Relying on the mental state of the child poses the second limitation since Tiffany's problem is most likely to be the accumulation of metal issue that goes beyond childhood. Therefore, the theory takes a more general approach as opposed to a specific one to human behavior when examining Tiffany's case.

Thirdly, the limitation of the application of the theory on Tiffany is the lack of inherent and tangible truth in the solution of the mental issues. There is a likelihood that when the patient is in the "visionary's world," all issues within the mind are resolved. However, when the patient comes to the real world, such issues remain unresolved. The situation has occurred to many patients using the psychoanalysis theory. Finally, the method also falls short of relative testable and correct predictions and outcomes.

Moreover, from the theory, it is almost impossible for the psychologist to connect and explain the physical mechanism of the patient. Such mechanisms concerns issue to do with ego (Elliott, 2019).

Conclusion

Regarding the psychological theory, the most important and essential of its application is by enabling people to become aware of their thoughts and motivations. It is the first move towards curing the psychology of a person through gaining access to the mind of a patient. This criterion is in line with the old theory, as established by Sigmund Freud (Clarke, 2017).

References

Clarke, S. (2017). Social theory, psychoanalysis, and racism. Macmillan International Higher Education.

Fonagy, P. (2018). Attachment theory and psychoanalysis. Routledge.

Howell, E. F. (2011). Understanding and treating dissociative identity disorder: A relational approach. Routledge.

Elliott, A. (2019). Social theory and psychoanalysis in transition: Self and society from Freud to Kristeva. Routledge.

Reichenberg, L. W., & Seligman, L. (2016). Selecting effective treatments: A comprehensive, systematic guide to treating mental disorders. John Wiley & Sons.

Schlumpf, Y. R., Nijenhuis, E. R., Klein, C., Jancke, L., & Bachmann, S. (2019). Functional reorganization of neural networks involved in emotion regulation following trauma therapy for complex trauma disorders. Neuroimage: Clinical, 23, 101807.