Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is a form of depth psychology and is an approach based on psychoanalysis by famed Sigmund Freud. The psychodynamic approach is based on the theory that drives and forces the unconscious mind within each human that influences judgments, feelings, and behavior. Like an iceberg, the unconscious mind is the largest and most important part beneath the surface that you cannot see. This approach helps people better understand their unconscious motivations that contribute to how they act, think, and feel. This type of therapy is indicated when a person’s problems are linked to unconscious factors that lead to present-day difficulties, struggles in coping with stressors, or distorted self-perception.
The Theory of Psychodynamic Therapy
The psychodynamic theory states that events in our childhood influence us as adults. Events that occur in early life can remain unconscious and create issues and problems in adulthood. Because these are stored in the unconscious mind, they can be challenging to access. Your therapist may draw on Sigmund Freud and pioneers such as Carl Jung through psychodynamic work.
Topics such as personality and its components (such as the ego), dream interpretations, archetypes and myths (similar to narrative therapy), and spirituality may be explored. Your therapist may use creativity-based psychodynamic techniques that help express feelings and emotions through art, music, or dance. Your experience of psychodynamic therapy will include focusing on the expression of self, exploring defense mechanisms that create avoidance of dealing with distressing thoughts and feelings, identifying recurring themes and patterns, and talking about past experiences. Psychodynamic therapy can be helpful in helping people improve relationships, understand emotions, and identify ways in their lives.