Psychodynamic therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is one of the major approaches within psychotherapy. When hearing the term psychodynamic therapy, many people think of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. The precursor to psychodynamic therapy is psychoanalysis, where clients would attend therapy several times a week, often reclining on a couch while the therapist sat behind them. Over time, psychodynamic therapy emerged, maintaining many elements of psychoanalysis while making the therapist's role more interactive and engaged.
What is psychodynamic therapy?
Psychodynamic therapy focuses on understanding and treating psychological difficulties and behaviours. Instead of solely addressing present-day behaviours, it seeks to uncover the root causes behind a person’s struggles. By exploring underlying factors, individuals can gain deeper insight into their emotions, thought patterns, and actions.
Psychodynamic therapy is based on psychological theories that emphasise the interaction between different parts of the mind and how these dynamics influence emotions and behaviours. The approach encourages individuals to resolve their issues by understanding and working through internal conflicts and unconscious drives.
Common techniques in psychodynamic therapy include:
Exploring past memories and emotions
Analysing dreams and fantasies
Examining interpersonal relationships
Uncovering unconscious patterns and defence mechanisms
These techniques help individuals better understand their behaviours and emotions, enabling them to manage their difficulties more effectively.
Psychodynamic therapy can help with
Recurring difficulties in relationships
Prolonged periods of anxiety or depression
Feelings of isolation and overwhelm
Repetitive, harmful, or destructive behaviour patterns
Difficulty relating to others or engaging in meaningful activities
Struggles with focus, concentration, or decision-making
Feelings of restlessness, anxiety, or excessive worry
Challenges in handling conflicts
Difference between CBT and psychodynamic therapy
Unlike Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which focuses on present-day problems and practical solutions, psychodynamic therapy delves into past experiences to understand how they contribute to current difficulties.
A key concept in psychodynamic therapy is transference and countertransference. The therapist interprets what the client says and notices their own emotional reactions within the therapeutic relationship. By recognising patterns and defence mechanisms, the therapist provides insightful feedback, helping the client gain self-awareness and make meaningful changes.
Psychodynamic therapy also focuses on emotions and thoughts beneath surface-level defences. By bringing the unconscious into awareness, individuals develop a deeper understanding of themselves and can make more conscious life choices.
Through psychodynamic therapy, clients gain the ability to live in alignment with their true selves rather than being controlled by unconscious forces or past traumas.
Psychodynamic therapy – a long-term process
Psychodynamic therapy is typically a long-term process, requiring time and commitment to achieve lasting results.
At the start of therapy, the therapist explores the client’s life experiences, how these have shaped their current struggles, and what underlying psychological factors may be influencing their behaviours and emotions. The therapist may also:
Identify recurring emotional and behavioural patterns
Explore the client’s inner world, motivations, and interpersonal relationships
Analyse emotional responses to past and present events
Help the client develop a deeper sense of self-awareness
Because psychodynamic therapy focuses on uncovering and resolving inner conflicts, it can lead to profound personal transformation and increased self-understanding.
The theory behind psychodynamic therapy
A core principle of psychodynamic therapy is that psychological symptoms have meaning and can be understood.
This approach is based on the idea that symptoms like anxiety and depression arise when individuals struggle to manage emotions and relationships effectively. Often, coping mechanisms that were once useful earlier in life become maladaptive over time, leading to distress.
A fundamental belief in psychodynamic theory is that unconscious thoughts and feelings shape our behaviours. We all develop psychological defences to protect ourselves from painful emotions and inner conflicts – such as feelings of inferiority, anger, or guilt.
Open and honest conversations in therapy
Psychodynamic therapy provides a space where individuals can speak openly and freely about their challenges and life experiences – both past and present.
We often carry relationship patterns from early life into adulthood. In therapy, clients have the opportunity to explore these patterns, understand their emotional responses, and identify the root causes of their difficulties. This process fosters self-awareness and promotes personal growth.
For individuals struggling with depression or anxiety, psychodynamic therapy can often be combined with CBT to address specific symptoms more effectively. Integrating different therapy approaches can provide a well-rounded and tailored treatment plan for each individual.
Psychodynamic therapy in London
At World Psychologists, we offer psychodynamic therapy at our clinics in London. Book a free consultation to discuss how we can help you and explore the next steps.