Psychodynamic Therapy

A psychodynamic approach or therapy is underpinned by the belief that client’s present experience or issues may have a significant connection to their childhood and past experiences of relationships. The therapist works with the client in a predominantly non-directive way, building trust and understanding within the therapeutic relationship.

How does Psychodynamic Counselling work?

Psychodynamic counselling gives importance to the unconscious process and defenses that may be operating within the client’s way of relating. By bringing these unconscious processes into awareness, the counsellor can assist the client to make sense of their current feelings and their ways of relating. Through non-judgmental and supportive counselling, clients can begin to process their thoughts, feelings and behaviours. This can create greater understanding, self-awareness and possibly change.

Thus the psychodynamic model of therapy places emphasis on:

• Client’s primary (first/childhood) experiences of relationships
• The unconscious
• The defense mechanisms
• Past experiences and their connections to the present way of thinking.

Psychodynamic counselling is particularly suitable for relationship issues, anxiety, low self-esteem, stress, addictions, depression, anger or other entrenched feelings. It suits a client who is willing to try and get to the bottom of the issue for long term benefits.