WHAT IS PSYCHODYNAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPY?

Psychodynamic psychotherapy, also known as psychodynamic counselling, is based on psychoanalysis but with a warmer, more accessible and more supportive approach. The word psychodynamic is made up of psyche, encompassing the self, thoughts and feelings, and dynamic, reflecting the mind being active and changeable.

Psychodynamic therapy emphasises the importance of the unconscious, relationships and early life experiences in shaping our thoughts, feelings and behaviour. As a therapeutic approach, it offers an invaluable way to uncover and understand the deeper roots of any psychological difficulties, and to make lasting, positive changes in your life.

Psychodynamic therapy is based on the theory that some of our thoughts and perceptions are unconscious, and that behavioural patterns are shaped during childhood. It’s believed that the unconscious mind harbours painful feelings and memories that are too challenging or overwhelming for the conscious mind to process. This leads to defence mechanisms such as repression, avoidance and denial, which often exacerbate problems rather than alleviate them.

The primary goal of psychodynamic psychotherapy is to bring unconscious thoughts and patterns into conscious awareness, helping you recognise, understand and resolve deep-seated feelings and issues. With increased self-awareness, you can make lasting, positive changes in your current life and relationships, and therefore live a happier and more satisfying life.

Whilst psychodynamic psychotherapy has its foundations in Sigmund Freud's psychoanalysis, there have also been significant contributions from notable figures including Carl Jung, Donald Winnicott and Melanie Klein. Psychodynamic therapy shares the same core principles as psychoanalysis, but is generally less intensive and more solution-focused than traditional psychoanalytic therapy.

The core principals of psychodynamic therapy include:

• Exploring unconscious thoughts and feelings

• Considering the impact of patterns and ‘blueprints’ formed in early life

• Increasing awareness and understanding of your thoughts and feelings

• Uncovering defence mechanisms and other unhealthy behaviours/habits

• Processing painful and difficult emotions

• Considering conflicts between different aspects of the self

• Exploring patterns in relationships, including within the therapeutic (client-counsellor) relationship

• Understanding links between now and past experiences

How does psychodynamic therapy work?

Psychodynamic therapists strive to create a safe, non-judgmental and supportive therapeutic space, where you can talk about whatever is important to you. This may include current problems, future aspirations, childhood experiences, traumas, memories, dreams, successes and failures, and/or painful emotions. Clients are encouraged to speak freely and express their true thoughts and emotions, even if these feel uncomfortable or difficult to share.

Guided by the principle that the unconscious mind contains deep-seated feelings and beliefs, psychodynamic therapists offer interpretations to help you make sense of your experiences, gain self-insight, and identify what is happening unconsciously. Therapists also help to make links between previous/childhood experiences and current situations and behaviours.

The therapeutic relationship acts as a microcosm for relationships in the ‘real world’, often replicating feelings and patterns of behaviour experienced outside the therapy room. This might involve experiencing the therapist in similar ways to significant figures from the past, such as parents. By exploring these feelings, you can understand and resolve any difficulties affecting current relationships.

Psychodynamic therapy is often a challenging process, as it may bring painful memories, conflicting aspects of self and/or powerful feelings to the surface. However, increased self-awareness and self-integration has a hugely positive impact on all areas of life – including work, hobbies, goals, relationships and parenting – so you're able to life a calmer and more fulfilling life.

Who is psychodynamic therapy for?

Psychodynamic psychotherapy is beneficial for adults, children, couples and groups with a wide range of mental health difficulties, relationship problems and traumatic experiences.

Psychodynamic therapy can help with a wide range of mental health and life difficulties, including:

• Anxiety

• Relationship difficulties

• Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Depression

• Stress

• Life transitions

• Disordered eating

• Bereavement

• Family problems

It’s most effective for people who are interested in exploring the root causes of their problems, are curious about their mind and unconscious, and want to increase self-awareness. This therapy is ideal for those who enjoy self-reflection, want to gain deep emotional insight, and are keen to understand the impact of childhood/past experiences.

How long does psychodynamic psychotherapy take?

Psychodynamic psychotherapy is usually a longer-term therapy, acknowledging that sustainable self-insight and change takes time. The exact duration varies depending on your individual needs. Many people feel ‘lighter’ and more positive after just one or two sessions, however it takes longer to get to the deeper roots of issues.

Short-term therapy of 6-12 sessions can be effective where the focus is on one or two specific concerns; long-term therapy can last a year or more. Weekly therapy (one 50-minute session per week) is usually recommended, but it’s also possible to have fortnightly sessions. At LD Therapy, I work with clients on an open-ended basis, with regular/ongoing progress reviews.

What are the key features of psychodynamic psychotherapy?

Here are some of the key features:

1) Exploring the unconscious: Where emotions, experiences or aspects of identity conflict with our conscious needs, these may be avoided and kept unconscious. Psychodynamic therapy aims to bring the unconscious back into conscious awareness, so you can make an active choice about how to manage and respond.

2) Considering the therapeutic relationship: Relationships take a central focus in psychodynamic psychotherapy, with difficulties experienced in external relationships sometimes recurring within the therapist-client relationship. This means that such difficulties can be explored and overcome within the safety of the therapy space.

3) Client taking the lead: Clients are encouraged to speak freely about their thoughts and feelings, without too much input or direction. This gives you time and space to share whatever is important to you, and for unconscious thoughts and ideas to surface. The therapist will usually offer reflections and interpretations to help identify unconscious feelings and make sense of your experiences.

4) Learning from the past: In psychodynamic psychotherapy, childhood is seen as a pivotal time, when we create 'blueprints' for how to understand ourselves, others and the world. Therefore, exploring early experiences helps in understanding our deeper ways of thinking and interacting with others.

Is CBT a type of psychodynamic therapy?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is not a form of psychodynamic therapy. CBT focuses on changing current thoughts, feelings and behaviours, whereas psychodynamic therapy explores the underlying processes and patterns. Psychodynamic therapy aims to identify root causes and bring them into conscious awareness, whereas CBT focuses on symptom improvement without considering the causes.

At LD Therapy, I integrate psychodynamic psychotherapy/counselling with other, more practical therapeutic techniques, including CBT and positive psychology.



If you’d like to learn more about psychodynamic psychotherapy and consider whether it’s right for you, please get in touch to book a free phone consultation. As a qualified and accredited psychodynamic psychotherapist, I provide a warm, encouraging, and non-judgemental therapeutic space to help you make better sense of yourself, your emotions and your experiences.