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WHAT IS PSYCHODYNAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPY?
Psychodynamic psychotherapy 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.
The goal of psychodynamic therapy is to increase self-awareness and insight. By gaining understanding of your unconscious feelings and the impact of childhood experiences, you can make positive and informed choices, and therefore live a happier and more satifying life.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is usually a longer-term therapy, acknowledging that deep, sustainable growth and change takes time. It's effective in treating a wide range of mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, childhood trauma/abuse, disordered eating and relationship difficulties. While it shares some principles and theories with psychoanalysis, it's generally less intensive and more supportive in approach.
Here are some of the key features of psychodynamic psychotherapy:
1) Exploring the unconscious
Where emotions, experiences or aspects of idenitity conflict with our conscious needs, these may be avoided and kept unconsious. 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 even 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.
5) A challenging, but hugely rewarding, process
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 happier, calmer and more fulfilling life.
At LD Therapy, I provide a warm, encouraging, and non-judgemental therapeutic space where you can discuss anything that is important to you. As a qualified and accredited psychodynamic psychotherapist, I can help you make better sense of yourself, your emotions and your experiences.
Get in touch now to book a free initial phone consultation.