Psychodynamic Therapy

People with mental health conditions can benefit from comprehensive treatment. Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is a critical aspect of mental health treatment. People have different needs throughout treatment. There are a variety of therapies available to help people understand and manage their conditions.

Psychodynamic therapy is a form of therapy used to treat a range of psychological disorders. This article will explore psychodynamic approaches used in mental health treatment. You will learn:

• How psychodynamic therapy works
• When psychodynamic approaches are useful
• Who can benefit from psychodynamic treatment
• What to expect when working with a psychodynamic therapist
• Where to find mental health treatment in Palm City

If you or someone you love lives with a mental health condition, treatment is available at Palm City Wellness. Reach out to our intake team to explore our treatment programs or schedule therapy sessions.

What is Psychodynamic Therapy?

Psychodynamic therapy is an intensive form of talk therapy based on Sigmund Freud’s theory of psychoanalysis. Its goal is to help people meaningfully explore and understand their emotions and experiences.

How Does Psychodynamic Therapy Work?

Psychodynamic therapy is a holistic therapeutic approach. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), this type of therapy can help people understand how their past experiences contribute to their current functioning.

During therapy sessions, people meet with a licensed mental health professional. This may include:

• Clinical social workers
• Psychologists
• Mental health counselors
• Family therapists

Psychodynamic counselors help clients explore the unconscious mind to understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in a new light. The counselor acts as a guide, not an authority. People may use this evidence-based therapy to address specific concerns or conditions, explore past issues, and improve functioning.

People typically attend therapy once per week for as long as necessary. Unlike other therapies, including psychoanalysis, people may choose to participate in short or long-term therapy. Generally, brief psychodynamic therapy lasts 25 sessions. However, people may require ongoing therapy to accomplish their goals.

Who Benefits From Psychodynamic Therapy?

Psychodynamic therapy may be a good fit for people who are interested in and willing to speak about their thoughts and feelings. Therapists guide clients to discover patterns and address hidden emotions.

People with certain mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and relationship problems, may benefit from this approach. Some research shows it can be helpful for those living with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and other personality disorders.

Psychodynamic therapy may not be a good fit for all conditions, including:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Psychosis
• Substance use disorder (SUD)

Research suggests that psychodynamic therapy may be as effective as other common, evidence-based therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

 What to Expect From Psychodynamic Therapy

Starting any kind of therapy can feel new or intimidating for some. Knowing what to expect during therapy can help you prepare to take this step.

Psychodynamic therapy uses several techniques to help people explore their emotions, desires, challenges, and more. Here is an overview of some methods a psychodynamic therapist may use.

Free association

Sigmund Freud used free association to help people explore their subconscious emotions. Some psychodynamic therapists use this technique in their practice. In this exercise, the therapist may ask the client to say whatever comes to mind at the moment without censoring it. In some cases, the therapist may provide a prompt to help people start free association.

The therapist then works to identify signs of repressed feelings, thoughts, or experiences. The therapist and client explore how repressed emotions may impact current behaviors.

Dream analysis

Psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapy use dream analysis to explore people’s subconscious mind. This therapeutic approach advocates that dreams are unfiltered and may reveal hidden desires, thoughts, and feelings.

Projective tests

Some psychodynamic therapists use projective tests during therapy sessions. Projective tests are tools that may elicit hidden feelings, thoughts, and desires.

One well-known projective test is the Rorschach inkblot test. In this test, a therapist may show a client a series of inkblots and ask them to create a story about what they see in the picture. Some mental health practitioners believe this exercise can help bypass the mind’s defenses and filters, helping to explore the hidden emotions underneath.

Typically, people spend about an hour in each therapeutic session. Short-term psychodynamic therapy may last 25 or more sessions, depending on each person’s needs. This therapeutic approach may benefit people who want to explore their emotions and experiences deeply.

People may attend psychotherapy sessions as part of a comprehensive mental health treatment program or independently. Clinicians may offer therapy sessions in clinics, community centers, hospitals, and private settings.

Find Psychodynamic Therapy in Palm City

Mental health conditions can make some parts of life more challenging. However, effective, compassionate treatment can help people manage their symptoms and improve functioning.

If you or someone you love needs mental health treatment, contact the Palm City Wellness specialists to learn about our programs. You can also reach out with questions or to schedule an intake appointment.