What To Expect In Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy is one of the oldest forms of talk therapy. It works by helping the person gain more self-awareness of their thoughts, actions, and reactions by understanding how past experiences going back to childhood affect their current behaviors. Psychodynamic therapy can effectively treat various mental health conditions, ranging from anxiety and depression to panic disorders and stress.

Psychodynamic therapy is a type of insight therapy that focuses on how someone behaves due to unconscious processes that occur within the body. It looks at how past experiences and behavior can actually impact and influence how the individual acts and behaves in the present, even if they don’t realize what is happening or what they are doing. By working to change how you think about your behavior and past behavior, it’s possible to change your perceptions and actions.

What is psychodynamic therapy?

With this type of therapy, you will learn to be more self-area and understand how your past can impact your future and your present. You will be able to look at situations or experiences in your past that you may not have fully overcome or put behind you, and then you will be able to move forward with your life. The important thing is to delve deep into your past because the problems you are experiencing could be more deeply rooted than you know.

How psychodynamic therapy works out

This type of therapy is considered a long-term therapy that requires at least two years to see significant results, though you’ll likely see at least some results long before that. Because the entire point of this type of therapy is to see a distinct change in an individual’s personality or change in developmental processes, it can take a much longer time than other therapy forms. It’s a much more complex process to initiate the change. There are more brief forms of this therapy, however, that have had varying degrees of success.

These therapists believe that by using a shorter intervention process, the therapist can jump-start the change and then the client to continue to facilitate the change over time but without the therapist’s need. This type of therapy will require a great deal more effort and work by the client but doesn’t require much therapy, which can benefit some. Psychodynamic therapy is best for the situation between you and your therapist, however, and the situation you are experiencing.

What is psychodynamic therapy like in practice?

One of the best things about psychodynamic therapy is that its effects last, and its benefits continue growing even after treatment ends. If you’re considering this form of therapy, learning what it is and how it works can help you decide if it is the right approach for you. 

How does psychodynamic therapy work? 

Psychodynamic therapy focuses on the roots of mental and emotional challenges, often exploring past experiences and how they affect subconscious thoughts and beliefs in the present. Self-examination and self-reflection are the hallmarks of this treatment and are used to examine problematic patterns to alleviate symptoms and help people lead healthier, happier lives. 

During sessions, therapists allow the person to discover unconscious thoughts and talk about whatever is on their mind. The therapist helps the person work through these thoughts and identifies patterns of negative feelings or behaviors and how past experiences may have caused those things. Bringing these connections between the past and present to the person’s attention can help them overcome negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Treatment length is flexible and can last weeks, months, or years. How long someone needs to attend psychodynamic therapy sessions varies depending on the circumstances. People with more complex mental health issues or trauma may need to see a psychodynamic therapist for a long time, while others may only need to attend sessions for a few weeks.

Where did psychodynamic therapy start?

Psychodynamic therapy derives from Sigmund Freud’s theories about the unconscious mind. A popular way to describe Freud’s theory of the conscious and unconscious mind is to think of the mind as an iceberg. The smaller part above the surface we can see represents our conscious mind, and the larger part under the water represents the unconscious mind. Freud believed the unconscious contained repressed passions, thoughts, ideas, and urges that influenced conscious thought. 

Techniques used in psychodynamic therapy

Unlike other forms of therapy, psychodynamic therapy emphasizes the unconscious mind more than the current thoughts and actions. Many techniques are used in psychodynamic therapy to explore the unconscious. Two of the most notable are transference and free association. 

The client-therapist relationship is an essential part of psychodynamic therapy. Therapists use this relationship as a window into the client’s behavior patterns. Transference is when the person projects their unconscious feelings, thoughts, and beliefs onto the therapist. The therapist then explores these projections with the client, focusing on how their reactions in sessions relate to their reactions to the people in their lives.

In free association, the therapist encourages the patient to talk about whatever comes to mind, no matter how irrelevant or embarrassing, to encourage sharing unconscious emotions, thoughts, or impulses. Free association helps get these things to the surface so that the therapist can interpret them and deal with them throughout therapy sessions.

What can psychodynamic therapy treat?

Because the goals of this therapy are introspection and self-awareness, psychodynamic therapy is effective at helping people cope with emotional symptoms and stress from things like trauma and divorce and treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including panic disorders, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, and PTSD. 

The benefits of psychodynamic therapy

Psychodynamic therapy helps clients better understand their thoughts and behavior. Once we know why we do what we do, addressing and changing them is often easier. This kind of therapy can help people develop healthy coping mechanisms that benefit them in many areas. 

People undergoing this form of treatment may see improvements in confidence, self-awareness, and self-acceptance. They can develop a deeper understanding of who they are, which can help them pick up on other mental health symptoms before they get out of control. This therapy can also help improve interpersonal relationships, boost work satisfaction, and help people fulfill long-term goals. 

Options for finding a therapist

If you’re ready to start psychodynamic therapy or want to learn more about other forms of treatment, talking to a therapist can help. Many people may be overwhelmed by the idea of meeting a therapist face-to-face, so if you’re looking for another way to get help, consider online therapy. 

Online therapy is an effective, accessible, and convenient way to get the help you need. When you sign up, you’re matched with a therapist who can begin helping you in a matter of days. A platform like BetterHelp offers a database of licensed therapists and counselors specializing in many treatment forms, including psychodynamic therapy. You don’t need to worry about being on a waiting list for an available appointment slot, and because you attend sessions from the comfort of your home, there’s no commute. Plus, online therapy works. One review of 14 studies found no difference in effectiveness between online and in-person treatment. If you’re ready to learn more, get started with BetterHelp.

Takeaway

Psychodynamic therapy is one of the oldest forms of talk therapy, and it can be used to successfully treat a range of mental issues, from depression to anxiety to PTSD. If you want to learn more about this type of treatment or find another form of therapy that might work for you, reach out to a therapist to learn more.