Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
What is psychodynamic psychotherapy?
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is traditionally a long-term treatment (typically 1-2 years) that aims to help patients gain greater insight into why they feel and act the way they do. Subtle psychological forces originating from childhood can drive our unconscious feelings and impact us for a lifetime. Many people develop defense mechanisms to compensate for these unconscious conflicts. Psychodynamic psychotherapy can help you identify your conflicts and the defense mechanisms that get in the way of your satisfaction in interpersonal relationships and the fulfillment of your goals.
There is research support for the efficacy of psychodynamic psychotherapy for a variety of mental health conditions. Here is more information about the research.
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy in Individual Therapy
In individual therapy, I help you identify your unconscious conflicts and defense mechanisms and we will examine their role in the problems you’re having in your life. I will then help you change the way you relate and act towards yourself and other people. Many of my patients have told me that this process helps them feel they are living a more authentic and fulfilling life, and improves their satisfaction with and effectiveness in their relationships. Here is more information on psychodynamic psychotherapy as it relates to individual therapy.
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy in Couples Therapy
When I use a psychodynamic approach in couples therapy, I help uncover each partner’s unconscious conflicts and defense mechanisms and we examine their role in the problems in your relationship. I will then help you change the way you relate and act towards yourselves and each other so that the relationship becomes more authentic and fulfilling. Many of the couples I have treated report that this process helps them understand better what they need in relationships and how to get it, and that it helps them understand what their partner needs, and how to give it to them. Many couples have also reported that this process helps them feel more emotionally connected to their partner. Here is more information on psychodynamic psychotherapy as it relates to couples therapy.