What is Psychodynamic Therapy & How does it Help?
Do you wish you had more clarity about why you do the things you do?
Are bullet point lists about “how to be the happiest version of yourself” or ” the 5 steps for overcoming your depression” unhelpful because you don’t know why you’re depressed in the first place? Is there any way to really know what is driving your behavior, beliefs, the choices you make?
Absolutely. The approach to self-understanding you may be looking for is psychodynamic therapy. This mode of therapy allows you to participate in deeper introspection and investigate the roots of your actions.
So, What Is Psychodynamic Therapy Exactly?
Essentially, it is the form of treatment many of us picture when we think in terms of stereotypical talk therapy. The old idea of a client on a therapy couch answering “how do you feel” stems from the psychodynamic approach. Of course, there is much more to this kind of therapy than that.
Unlike a problem-based focus like CBT, this therapy takes a global, big picture approach to mental health. In other words, the focus isn’t the behavior itself, it’s the patterns in your emotions, thoughts, and beliefs fostering the behaving that are examined.
So, the idea is that your therapist can help you 1) glean how influential your early life is on your life today and 2) improve self-comprehension to make better life choices.
When you think of psychodynamic therapy, think of self-reflection and self-discovery. As you work with your therapist, you’ll uncover how and why your unconscious responses dominate certain situations by
Focusing on how you express emotions. Your therapist helps you explore and give language to your feelings, even those that are hard for you to admit or acknowledge.
Probing your attempts to avoid uncomfortable thoughts and emotions. Your therapist will notice and explore your defense mechanisms and unconscious ways of avoiding painful thoughts and feelings.
Identifying recurring life patterns. You and your therapist will work to pinpoint routine self-defeating experiences.
Discussing past experiences. You’ll examine the relationship between your early life and current experiences, in an effort to overcome the past and become more mindful and present.
Who Benefits from Psychodynamic Therapy?
Psychodynamic therapy is typically used to treat those suffering from depression and anxiety. However, this form of therapy is often effective in the treatment of the following:
relationship problems,
career struggles,
eating disorder,
PTSD and more.
If you wrestle with hopelessness, regret, or shame, you may very well benefit. If you’re feeling emotionally stuck or wonder why your self-worth is perpetually low, psychodynamic therapy can help you understand the past.
What Are Sessions Like?
Psychodynamic therapy sessions are focused on interpretation and insight to help you change patterns. Your therapist listens for unconscious recurring patterns and helps you understand and express your emotions.. Depending on your therapist, one of five approaches may be used:
Brief psychodynamic therapy. You’ll meet for a limited number of sessions, a couple times a month.
Dynamic interpersonal therapy (DIT). This 16-session therapy is often helpful for depression and anxiety.
Psychodynamic art and music therapies. Art and music therapy techniques explore difficult thoughts and emotions safely, through creativity.
Long-term psychodynamic therapy. This type of therapy commonly lasts at least 2 years. It helps to address anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and more resistant depression.
Psychodynamic family therapy. This type helps family members to uncover and manage issues that underlie family problems.
Psychodynamic couples therapy. Helps you identify the unconscious patterns each partner brings to the relationship.
The goal is not to dwell on the past needlessly. Research supports that psychodynamic therapy is highly effective. Its benefits accrue even after treatment ends.
Reach Out to a Psychodynamic Therapist
Psychodynamic therapy therapy is a powerful approach to understanding yourself and taking responsibility for your thoughts and reactions.
You may discover that you feel empowered and more in control as you start to make sense of the past and present. Just be sure you have a qualified, compassionate guide. It isn’t easy to come to grips with so much on your own, and that’s perfectly okay. We’re here to help.
Learn how you can start on a path towards true self-awareness and healthy decision-making, contact us soon.