Psychodynamic Therapy
What Is Psychodynamic Therapy?
Psychodynamic therapy is a form of talk therapy that empowers individuals to understand and resolve deeply rooted issues that affect their emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. An individual in psychodynamic therapy engages in free-flowing conversations with their therapist about the problems they’re dealing with in the present, digs into the potential roots of these problems in their past to gain self-awareness, and uses these insights to reclaim their agency in life.
Many people pursue psychodynamic treatment because they feel that their lives have become stagnant, and although they’re unhappy with their circumstances, they do not know how to change. They might not even know what they truly want out of their personal and professional life. Overall, they feel uncertain about who they are and who they want to become.
This uncertainty drives them to frequently move, change jobs, and seek out new romantic partners as they try to find an undefinable ideal. This endless search leaves them feeling exhausted and unsatisfied. Psychodynamic therapy can help people outline success on their own terms and gain clarity around their true desires.
The History Of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Psychodynamic therapy grew out of traditional psychoanalysis (1), which was developed in the late 1800s (2). Back then, psychoanalytic theories proposed that psychological conflicts are actually rooted in the unconscious, which helped people find relief from their symptoms.
Today, psychodynamic therapy has evolved significantly from its early roots. While early psychoanalytic practitioners focused heavily on uncovering repressed memories and unconscious associations through hypnosis, modern psychodynamic counseling has shifted dramatically from this approach.
Instead, people in psychodynamic therapy can speak openly about the problems they’re dealing with, and their therapist helps them glean insights into why they hold certain beliefs about themselves or continue engaging in behaviors that only hurt them. Through intense personal inquiry, an individual can gain a newfound sense of agency in their own life and live authentically.
Have any questions? Send us a message!
How Does Psychodynamic Therapy Work?
By examining their past with the guidance of a psychodynamic therapist, individuals will come to understand how their experiences and relationships in their younger years still have an impact on their lives today.
When someone begins psychodynamic therapy, they typically meet with their therapist at least once per week. Session frequency can vary between practices. In my practice, psychodynamic therapy begins with a free 50-minute initial consultation to see if the prospective client is a good fit for this modality. If so, we proceed with four 50-minute sessions over four consecutive weeks for assessment and history-taking. I’ll gain a better understanding of the problems you’re facing, offer education on psychodynamic therapy, and provide you with a specific diagnosis and treatment plan if appropriate. We’ll proceed with one or two sessions per week for at least one year based on the clients’ goals, resources, and availability, although many clients choose to attend sessions longer than one year.
During psychodynamic counseling sessions, individuals are free to share whatever comes to mind. Their therapist will guide them in identifying patterns in their thoughts, emotions, and actions that might be holding them back from feeling confident and content. Over time, psychodynamic therapy brings unconscious feelings and beliefs to the surface, allowing individuals to address patterns that no longer serve them and start living in the present.
Who Can Benefit From Psychodynamic Therapy?
Psychodynamic therapy can be helpful for people struggling with a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, past trauma, and maladaptive coping mechanisms. People who struggle with unhealthy relational patterns, personality traits, and intimacy problems in relationships can also benefit from this modality. Studies show that psychodynamic therapy is highly effective for treating a wide range of psychological disorders, with clients continuing to experience significant improvements even after concluding therapy sessions (3). Psychodynamic counseling offers unique benefits, allowing people to foster deep emotional exploration, uncover repressed emotions, identify and address self-defeating behaviors, assess whether their relationships meet their psychological needs, and freely discuss their reality as well as their fantasies. Ultimately, these insights will help them identify ways to change their lives and improve their circumstances.
In order to benefit from psychodynamic counseling, individuals must be willing to get curious about themselves and their past experiences while engaging in abstract thinking. Bridging the past and present, and understanding how these formative events have shaped one’s reality in the present day, is the key to gaining self-awareness, breaking negative behavioral patterns, and building healthier relationships.
My Background In Psychodynamic Therapy
I completed my doctoral degree in Psychodynamic Therapy from the European Institute of Research in Italy in 2009 and have been practicing with this approach ever since. I have continuously deepened my knowledge of psychodynamic therapy with advanced training in Europe and the United States.
In addition to supporting individuals and couples through private practice on both continents, I’ve applied this approach in diverse settings, including psychiatric hospitals, forensic clinics, rehab centers for alcohol and drug problems, personality disorders clinics, and counseling centers for LGBTQ+ clients. I also teach courses on psychodynamic therapy at San Francisco State University.
Why I Offer Psychodynamic Therapy
I have personally benefited from attending psychodynamic therapy sessions for several years, and I have experienced the transformative effects of this approach in my own life. I found that psychodynamic therapy offered an unparalleled opportunity for self-discovery through an evidence-based method, which led to long-lasting, positive changes.
Modifying dysfunctional behaviors with symptom-focused treatments can provide a short-term fix, but the same problems will manifest with new symptoms in the future. Psychodynamic treatment steers clear of simplistic solutions, leading to ongoing change and long-lasting healing. This modality allows people to explore the root causes of their issues, understand how the past affects the present, and chart a new course in life based on their core values and genuine self-expression.
You Can Create A Life Centered Around Your
Authentic Self
If you’re curious about the benefits of psychodynamic therapy, I encourage you to fill out my contact form to book a free, 50-minute consultation to see if this approach is right for you.
(1) https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/psychodynamic
(2) https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/psychoanalysis
(3) https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/amp-65-2-98.pdf