What is psychodynamic psychotherapy
What is Psychodynamic Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy based on psychodynamic principles makes use of the idea that how you behave now is determined by past experiences. Psychodynamic practice aims to help you make sense of your existing situation and of the feelings and thoughts and associated memories that are brought about by this situation. In psychodynamic therapy, these feelings, thoughts, images and even dreams can be analysed to gain deeper understanding of how you relate to yourself and to others.
Psychodynamic therapy employs strict boundaries with regards to session time-keeping, setting a therapeutic contract, breaks and endings. Such boundaries help to contain and hold the client. A psychodynamic psychotherapist usually keeps to the rule of abstinence and anonymity, so that the client knows little about the him/her. This can help show up transference reactions which can highlight important information about the client’s past experiences.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy has wide application. It can help with anxiety, stress in the work place, work-life imbalances, relationship issues (break-up, divorce, affairs, choosing inappropriate partners, loneliness, life adjustments, marital problems, trauma, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating problems and negative body image, depression (including suicidal thoughts, low mood, social withdrawal), phobias and fears, addiction, low self-esteem and confidence, abuse (including verbal and sexual abuse), bereavement, grief and loss.