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Psychodynamic Therapy

"Many patients who come to therapy wish to grapple with fundamental truths about what it is to be human--the inevitability of conflict in relationships, the inability to control external events, the fact that love is inextricably tied to hate, and the essential task of mourning that accompanies each developmental phase of adult life."​

-Glen O. Gabbard, MD

Overview
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Psychodynamic Overview

Psychodynamic therapy focuses on gaining insight into your identity, aspirations, and the obstacles that may be hindering you. This approach addresses symptoms of anxiety and depression while emphasizing authenticity of self. Therapists work with the whole person, not an illness or condition. Through exploration, you come to better understand the concealed pieces of your true self. Understanding of self helps you gain insight into your connections with other people.
 
Research has demonstrated that this form of therapy is effective for individuals with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, somatic symptom disorders, eating disorders, substance use disorders, and certain personality disorders.

Therapeutic Techniques
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Therapeutic Techniques

  • Experiencing and expressing emotions

  • Gaining insight into the patient's avoidance behaviors and resistance to change

  • Understanding the influence of past experiences, particularly from childhood

  • Identifying and exploring recurring themes and patterns in one's life

  • Examining one's interpersonal relationships

  • Building a therapeutic dynamic between the patient and therapist

  • Exploring wishes, dreams, and fantasies

Therapy Goals
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Therapy Goals

  • Examining your unconscious internal conflicts to alleviate the symptoms they cause

  • Engaging in an honest self-reflection to acknowledge your authentic self

  • Transitioning towards relationships that offer affirmation and validation in a healthy manner

  • Enhancing relationships by understanding how your inner self influences interactions

  • Expanding your capacity to uncover and interpret the meanings behind life experiences

  • Developing your ability to understand your own mental state and that of others

  • Exploring various ways of thinking about your experiences

Role of the Therapist
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Role of the Therapist

In psychodynamic therapy, the therapist and patient engage in a collaborative exploration of the patient's internal world. The therapist provides a range of interventions, from expressive to supportive, which are designed to foster insight. Transformative change emerges from this newfound understanding, as well as from the dynamics of the patient-therapist relationship.

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I often liken this process to two individuals navigating an uncharted wilderness. There is no map or set trails, but the therapist can serve as a guide with specialized skills. For instance, the therapist might highlight connections in the environment that the patient has yet to notice (interpretation). They may direct the patient’s focus to areas of the woods they have been hesitant to explore (confrontation). They could offer insights about a unique type of mushroom the patient encounters (psychoeducation). However, it is not the therapist's role to dictate the patient's path or actions.

Is This Approach for You?

Is This Approach for You?

Psychodynamic therapy is particularly beneficial for individuals who possess a strong capacity for exploration and expression. This typically includes people who have:

  • A deep motivation to gain self-understanding

  • Encountered significant suffering

  • A high tolerance for frustration

  • An ability to gain insight into their mental processes

  • The capacity to think in analogies and metaphors

Gabbard, Glen O.. Long-term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: A Basic Text. American Psychiatric Association Publishing, 2017.

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