Psychodynamic therapy tries to understand reasons behind symptoms, emotional distress and emotional difficulties. It can help you to understand how past experiences, current ways of thinking and relating, and anxieties about the future, are causing difficulties in your present life.

It is based on the assumption that part of our mind operates outside of our conscious awareness and that early experiences in life are important in later development. These experiences lay down patterns of relating to others, dealing with feelings and life’s challenges.

Through the relationship with your therapist and the exploration of your life, you will have the opportunity to gain greater insight into the contributing factors to your current difficulties as well as put into words and come to terms with past experiences and losses.

The psychodynamic approach is designed to help individuals with a wide range of problems, though is generally more effective in treating specific issues, such as anxiety, addiction and eating disorders. Primarily used to treat depression, psychodynamic therapy can be particularly beneficial for those who have lost meaning in their lives or have difficulty forming or maintaining personal relationships.

While suitable for everyone, it is said that there is a certain type of individual who responds particularly well to the approach, and benefits more than others. Typically, these types of individuals have a genuine interest in exploring themselves and seeking self-knowledge, as well as relieving symptoms. They will have the capacity for self-reflection, and a natural curiosity for their internal life and their behaviours.

how it works..

Coming to see a psychodynamic counsellor or psychotherapist can be an enlightening experience. Your counsellor or psychotherapist will encourage you to talk as freely as possible and will listen very carefully to what you say and the way you say it.

The therapist will think about your current difficulties and your early life experiences, and think with you about how those early experiences maybe influencing the way you deal with current problems. Your counsellor or psychotherapist will also be considering the relationship you create with him/her as way of understanding how you make relationships and the role you take on with others.

Each session lasts for 50 minutes and is at the same time and on the same day each week. In psychodynamic counselling and psychotherapy this is an extremely important aspect of the therapy to ensure the sessions are regular and consistent.