Why choose psychodynamic therapy?
Are you feeling stuck — emotionally overwhelmed, caught in repeating patterns, or unable to shake low mood or anxiety, despite trying your best?
Many of the people who contact me feel exactly this way. Whether it’s due to relationship difficulties, emotional turmoil, or a sense of being held back in life, they’re often looking for something deeper than symptom management.
People who approach me often tell me that they have tried other therapies, usually CBT or some short-term talking therapy (usually 6-12 sessions) often as a referral through their GP. Many report some tangible benefits — symptom relief, or feeling heard by a kind professional, they often tell me that something still feels unresolved. While they may have found ways to manage their feelings and symptoms, they sense there is more to understand beneath the surface, which may be perpetuating these issues.
That’s where psychodynamic therapy can often help.
What is psychodynamic therapy?
A psychodynamic approach can help you to understand how your past experiences and relationships may be shaping your current feelings and behaviours. Psychodynamic therapy is aimed at helping you to talk about your present problems and how to look at and make sense of them through becoming more aware of the processes behind them, the links between present and past experience.
As with any kind of therapy, the relationship with your therapist is an essential part of this process. A trusting relationship, where you feel safe and accepted allows you to talk freely and openly about current problems as well as childhood experiences and relationships with parents and caregivers.
Psychodynamic therapy is less about quick fixes and more about achieving lasting change through deep understanding, of yourself, your relationships, your past and how it all shows up in your life now.
What to expect from psychodynamic therapy
Psychodynamic therapy sessions are carried out weekly, at the same time and place each week, and last 50 minutes. It’s important that you can maintain this commitment as the frequency and regularity of session are key to effectiveness.
The sessions may feel like they have no particular structure, unlike other more solution focused therapies, the therapist won’t suggest a theme or agenda for the session and will not give advice, or instructions. You will be encouraged to talk about whatever comes to mind and the therapist will encourage exploration and curiosity, thinking together to uncover meaning and insight.
Unlike everyday conversations, your therapist won’t interrupt or offer advice. Instead, they’ll create space for you to explore your thoughts and feelings in your own time, offering gentle guidance that helps you uncover deeper insight. It is a safe, supportive environment where insight and understanding grow over time, at a pace which is respectful and guided by the client’s needs. This approach can often lead to real change in how clients feel, live, love and work.
Who might benefit from psychodynamic therapy?
- People who experience persistent low mood or anxiety which impacts their ability to engage with and enjoy life.
- Those who find themselves repeating unhealthy or painful relationship patterns.
- People who find themselves feeling empty, or lost, or not knowing who they are or what they want from life.
- Those who have had previous therapy, which has helped but didn’t go deep enough to achieve lasting change or resolution.
- People who had difficult or traumatic experiences in childhood which continue to impact adult life.
Reaching out for support and choosing a therapist can be confusing and daunting. I hope this post has helped give some clarity about the psychodynamic approach and who it may help.
If you’re curious about psychodynamic therapy and whether it could help you, I’d be happy to talk. Maybe you are looking for longer term therapy for anxiety or counselling for relationship patterns, sometimes, even just starting a conversation can be the beginning of real change.
Contact me for a free initial call.
Alexandra Stevenson MBACP is an experienced counsellor offering psychodynamic counselling and therapy in Hanley Swan in Worcestershire.
Contact Me
alex@alexandrastevensoncounselling.co.uk
Hanley Swan | Worcestershire