Psychodynamic Therapist
Psychodynamic therapy is inspired by psychoanalytic theory and is one of the oldest types of talk therapy. The therapists practicing this form of counseling are often called psychodynamic therapists. When deciding whether to partake in a session of psychodynamic therapy, it can be beneficial to understand how it works.
Psychodynamic therapy
One method of understanding the role of psychodynamic therapists is learning about psychodynamic theory and psychodynamic therapy in their entirety. Psychodynamic therapy is linked to ego psychology and self psychology because of the focus on the client’s inner world, past experiences, and conscious and subconscious thoughts. It also draws from Sigmund Freud’s theory that subconscious thoughts and feelings drive our behaviors and relationships. The focus of this treatment can revolve around the client sharing past experiences with the therapist that may have impacted a client's subconscious thoughts, beliefs, and dreams.
In dealing with these emotional challenges with the support of a psychodynamic therapist, the client may experience a series of benefits. For example, they may improve interpersonal relationships, achieve a healthier emotional state, improve their self-esteem, and meet their treatment goals. Although this process may seem simple, psychodynamic therapy can be complex and involves various techniques. Hence, it is important to work closely and be honest when talking to your therapist.
Techniques and goals of a psychodynamic therapist
Together with a therapist, you may explore recurring patterns in relationships. Your therapist will help you uncover underlying issues and coach you on rebuilding trust. By examining past experiences, a therapist can help clients gain insight into their current behaviors. Your therapist might also encourage clients to develop healthier coping mechanisms to navigate life challenges. A therapist might use various themes in therapy to help clients make changes and meet goals, including the following.
The subconscious
Psychodynamic therapy involves the theory of the unconscious mind, which is part of each person that holds unknown desires, thoughts, beliefs, and painful experiences. Discussing underlying emotions, thoughts, and experiences may be uncomfortable and challenging for clients, so a psychodynamic therapist supports them as they confront these areas. Developing a sound and supportive therapeutic alliance, also known as the patient therapist relationship, is essential for individuals to feel safe enough to discuss their innermost thoughts.
In this type of psychotherapy treatment, the therapist can help the client identify, name, and understand challenges impacting their daily functioning so they can partake in coping mechanisms to support them. One of the tasks of a psychodynamic therapist involves in this therapeutic relationship involves the therapist helping clients understand the adverse impacts associated with repressed emotions, experiences, thoughts, feelings, and emotional pain. Self-reflection can be one of the first steps in these sessions.
Childhood experiences
When working with a psychodynamic therapist, the events of your childhood may be discussed. Psychodynamic therapists believe early experiences can impact one's outlook, opinions, decisions, and general thoughts. If you don't remember your childhood, you may work on recovering memories or discussing what you think may have occurred.
Psychodynamic therapists may also reference attachment styles, which are the styles of communication, connection, and support individuals showcase throughout their lives based on how well their psychological and physiological needs were met as infants or children. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, unhealthy childhood attachments can lead to mental health disorders later in life.
Behavioral and cognitive patterns in psychodynamic psychotherapy
Another recurring theme in psychodynamic psychotherapy is patterns. The patterns an individual experiences in life can showcase the themes they frequently experience as an adult. These psychodynamic patterns may involve interpersonal relationship conflicts, reactions to disappointment, and how they treat themselves. Exploring psychodynamic patterns in current life may help psychodynamic therapists understand an individual's past and the people or situations that taught them the patterns.
What does a session with a psychodynamic therapist look like?
Clients working with psychodynamic therapists may meet with their specialist for about one hour weekly. Open-ended questions and discussions about thoughts, behaviors, and concerns in the client's conscious mind may occur during sessions in the initial stages for the therapist to understand their goals and what areas may be most beneficial to target long-term.
Clients who undergo psychodynamic therapies can develop the ability to take what they are learning from their therapists in sessions and apply it to the real world. However, this process can take weeks, months, or years of working with a psychodynamic therapist. Clients struggling to apply what they learn in sessions can let their therapist know to gain further insight into the process.
Psychodynamic therapy vs cognitive behavioral therapy
Both cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapies aim to help people gain a better understanding of themselves, their thought processes, and how their thoughts may be affecting their lives. Psychodynamic therapy, also known as psychoanalytic psychotherapy, focuses on how a person’s past and subconscious thoughts may be influencing their present, while CBT may focus more on reframing negative thought patterns. Psychodynamic therapy aims to help individuals heal emotional wounds with the help of a therapist, create healthier habits, and have a better understanding of themselves; psychodynamic perspectives can be useful for those looking to improve problematic relationship patterns, mental health symptoms, and general emotional distress.
The focus of cognitive behavioral therapy sessions
Compared to psychoanalytic therapy, CBT therapy sessions may focus more on providing concrete solutions to problems, looking less at root causes. CBT is frequently used by a licensed therapist to treat mental health problems like social anxiety disorder, depression, generalized anxiety, and personality disorders. When you work with a CBT therapist, the latter will help you identify negative thought patterns. Your therapist will guide you in replacing these thoughts with healthier alternatives. A therapist may use structured exercises to build coping skills.
Potential benefits of therapy
Clients of psychodynamic types of therapy may experience general life improvements along with a higher quality of self-awareness and an understanding of how past events impact the present. However, it doesn't necessarily mean they won't experience challenges or setbacks. When the goals of psychodynamic therapy are complete, the client may instead feel equipped to manage unexpected or expected challenges.
Having a higher self-awareness may allow clients to make decisions more conducive to their success in their lives. A therapist can help guide clients toward this self-awareness. Although success can look different for everyone, a therapist works to understand the unique goals of every client. For some individuals, a higher self-awareness may mean leaving unhealthy relationships, which a therapist can help navigate. For others, increased levels of self-awareness may manifest in the form of living a healthier lifestyle, with a therapist providing support along the way.
When clients undergoing short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy understand how the past impacts the present and feel their therapist has addressed their concerns, they can start to focus on daily life and feel that an amount of resolution has been achieved. It can also help them connect that the decisions they make in the present will become past decisions the next day and that present changes can benefit the future.
During the sessions, a licensed therapist also guides clients in recognizing that today’s choices will become past experiences tomorrow. With a therapist's support, clients can make positive changes that benefit their future well-being.
How long does psychodynamic psychotherapy last?
Many individuals considering working with a psychodynamic therapist may question how long the process lasts or how many sessions are sufficient for the therapy to be effective. However, treatment length is flexible and can depend on each client and his response to the therapist’s techniques. Psychodynamic therapy involves weekly or monthly sessions for weeks, months, or years for many people. It can depend on how long it takes for the client to analyze and study events, behavior, and emotions associated with their past or unconscious mind. For clients seeking a shorter-term therapy option, brief psychodynamic therapy is available for treating a single problem; long term psychodynamic therapy is better suited for addressing multiple problems. During each session, you will meet with your therapist and talk about your thoughts and experiences. Expect your therapist to work with you on a timeline that aligns with your needs and progress.
The extent of what lies within the subconscious mind may also determine the timeframe of psychodynamic therapy. Clients with less challenging concerns may be able to meet goals faster than those with complex, deep-seated issues which take time to address. For example, discussing a traumatic event may take longer than discussing a temporary conflict. However, how long the session takes does not indicate whether someone is more or less able to make changes and benefit from therapy.
Counseling options to improve mental health
Various options are available if you are interested in working with a psychodynamic therapist or any mental health specialist. You can consider searching for a provider online, talking to your doctor for a referral, or asking your family and friends for suggestions. You can also consider alternative forms of treatment, such as online psychodynamic therapy.
Effectiveness of online psychodynamic therapy in treating mental health challenges
One study on psychodynamic therapy via the internet found that the practice was especially effective in treating symptoms of depression but could be effective for a wide range of mental health challenges and psychological disorders. You can find a therapist specializing in this form of therapy through various online platforms and meet with them from home using phone, video, or live chat sessions.
Takeaway
What is an example of a psychodynamic therapy technique that a therapist would use?
Psychodynamic therapy seeks to understand a person’s unconscious thoughts using a common technique such as dream interpretation, among others, to uncover hidden meanings.
Free association is one of the most common therapeutic techniques in treatment that's done from a psychodynamic perspective. It involves allowing the client of psychodynamic therapies to share whatever is on their mind, letting them speak freely without following any kind of formal structure.
Dream analysis is another common part of psychodynamic psychiatry. A therapist may use this psychoanalytic technique to understand what a person's dreams might be communicating about their feelings, desires, unresolved conflicts, present behavior, or unconscious patterns.
Is there a difference between psychodynamic and psychoanalytical therapy?
Psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapy have some overlap. In fact, psychodynamic therapy is psychoanalytic, according to the American Psychologist Association. However, sessions of these two types can vary significantly. For example, psychoanalysis may take place over the course of several years, while the psychodynamic approach is often intended to be short-term. In addition, while both types may cover a person's early childhood experiences, psychodynamic techniques tend to use this information to focus more on the present.
Psychodynamic therapy
This therapy explores the unconscious mind.
Therapists typically have shorter sessions with psychodynamic therapy.
During each therapy session, the therapist is more active.
The goal of psychodynamic therapy is to seek practical insight from the client.
Psychoanalytical therapy
This type of therapy focuses on digging into repressed memories and desires.
Psychoanalytical therapy sessions are long-term.
The techniques in psychoanalytical therapy primarily involve free association and dream analysis.
Psychoanalytical therapists act as neutral observers rather than playing active roles in this type of therapy.
The goal of this therapy is to achieve transformative self-awareness.
What are the origins of psychodynamic psychotherapy?
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is a modality built on the human development and psychology work of Sigmund Freud. While psychodynamic therapy has evolved significantly since his time, psychodynamic modality is still often used today, comprising a few major techniques to help a person address defense mechanisms, gain self-awareness, improve interpersonal relations, process early life experiences, and examine unresolved conflicts.
What are the strengths of psychodynamic therapy for mental health?
Psychodynamic techniques—particularly in the context of long-term psychodynamic therapy—are therapeutic approaches that may help a person become aware of unconscious conflicts that may be affecting their human behavior and causing psychological distress. As long as there is a trusting relationship between the psychodynamic therapist and client, this type of psychotherapy may be an effective way to treat clients living with certain mental health conditions, like anxiety and depression.
However, the impact of this therapeutic approach can be difficult to measure, leading many professionals to mistrust its efficacy. For example, a randomized controlled trial and further research on the topic suggest that psychodynamic approaches may not be an effective component of the treatment regimen for those with bulimia nervosa and other eating disorders, but that “this finding is uncertain due to a small number of eligible studies.”
How successful is cognitive behavioral therapy?
In general, research supports the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for treating a variety of mental health symptoms. One review of randomized controlled trials on the topic suggests that CBT is currently the “gold standard of psychotherapy” and that this therapeutic approach can be a reliable and effective tool used to treat clients experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and other conditions. Here are some important benefits of CBT.
Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches strategies to manage stress and anxiety.
Individuals who experience this type of therapy can benefit from reduced negative thinking.
Therapists typically work hand-in-hand during therapy with clients to take better control of their emotions.
Clients learn problem-solving techniques after therapy.
This therapy is short-term, but the results are relatively impressive.
Who is best suited for psychodynamic therapy?
Psychodynamic therapy may be a good fit for people who are open to diving into their unconscious processes that may have been formed by a significant influence in their childhood. With psychodynamic therapy, the formal technique involves uncovering past experiences that may be affecting the patient's life today. Psychodynamic therapy sessions may sometimes be recommended for individuals with anxiety or depression. Since this kind of psychotherapy involves understanding the psychodynamic influences on the client’s emotions, it may not be suitable for the following individuals.
individuals seeking quick solutions or short-term therapy
those who are unwilling to explore their experience during therapy
Individuals who need medications other than therapy
What is an example of psychodynamic therapy?
One example of a psychodynamic therapy approach is transference interpretation. The American Psychological Association defines transference as “a patient’s displacement or projection onto the analyst of those unconscious feelings and wishes originally directed toward important individuals, such as parents, in the patient’s childhood.” Psychodynamic therapists encourage investigation of such a behavior, as it likely means there are unresolved feelings or conflicts there from a person's early years that could be affecting their life today. By uncovering these psychodynamic influences, individuals can gain insight into how their experiences impact their response to emotional triggers. This type of psychodynamic exploration often helps people to be aware of themselves and understand their internal representations. After psychodynamic therapy, individuals can make better choices.
What does a psychodynamic therapy session look like?
Psychodynamic therapy sessions are relatively free form. One reason is that free association—when the patient guides the psychodynamic therapy session by talking about whatever may be on their mind—is a key component of this approach. As the client speaks during psychodynamic therapy, the therapist may be interested in delving more into the client's past in an effort to understand what experiences may have shaped their feelings and behaviors today. This can have a positive effect on the client’s current life and current relationships.
What is a major criticism of psychodynamic therapies?
There are a few key criticisms of psychodynamic therapies. One is that its free-form nature makes it difficult to measure specific outcomes. Another is that psychodynamic therapy focuses too much, in the opinion of some professionals, on the unconscious mind and things that are out of a client's control. This could lead a psychodynamic provider or therapist to fixate on one aspect of the client's unconscious, like a suspected repressed sexual urge, for example, which may or may not exist and may or may not be the most effective approach for improving their day-to-day functioning. Critics point to therapies other than those that involve psychodynamic treatment as better options for certain situations.
Is psychodynamic therapy good for anxiety?
Research suggests that psychodynamic therapy may sometimes be an effective treatment for anxiety. In other cases, approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy may be more effective. Therapy can be ultimately beneficial for anyone suffering from anxiety. You might find yourself saying you love therapy at the end of the session with your therapist.
Empirical data has shown that psychodynamic therapy is also good for treating depression with many clients. According to Psychology Today, psychodynamic theory is good for when a client feels that they have lost meaning in their life, which can be a symptom of depression.
While other forms of therapy have been shown to be effective in treating anxiety and depression, psychodynamic theory is a good option if you are seeking treatment.
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