Psychodynamic therapy is rooted in traditional psychoanalysis and encompasses the psychological interpretation of mental and emotional processes. Drawing from various theories such as object relations, ego psychology, and self-psychology, its primary aim is to uncover the unconscious content within a client’s psyche, thereby alleviating inner psychic tension. Psychic tension, characterized by inner conflict resulting from extreme stress or emotional hardship, is a central focus of this approach.
Central to psychodynamic therapy is the interpersonal relationship between the client and the therapist, which is emphasized more than in other therapeutic modalities. This form of therapy often requires significant time investment, sometimes spanning years, and is based on a foundation of trust. Sessions typically occur once or twice per week to facilitate deep exploration and understanding.
Individuals often develop defense mechanisms to shield themselves from painful feelings, memories, and experiences, relegating them to the unconscious mind and preventing conscious awareness. Common defense mechanisms include denial, regression, repression, and rationalization.
In psychodynamic therapy, patients are encouraged to openly discuss their emotions, desires, interpretations, and fears. This openness can help unearth vulnerable feelings that have been relegated to the unconscious mind. According to psychodynamic theory, behavior is heavily influenced by unconscious thoughts. As vulnerable or painful feelings are processed and brought into conscious awareness, defense mechanisms may diminish or dissipate.
By recognizing recurring patterns in therapy sessions, patients can begin to understand how they typically avoid distress or employ defense mechanisms to cope. This insight enables patients to initiate changes in these patterns, leading to personal growth and emotional resilience.
Techniques used in Psychodynamic therapy include:
Free association: The patient is encouraged to express their genuine thoughts and feelings in an open-ended environment characterized by safety, confidentiality, and non-judgment. This environment fosters the exploration of thoughts that may seem irrelevant, illogical, or embarrassing to the patient. The objective is to facilitate access to unconscious information, memories, or impulses that may otherwise remain inaccessible. Once brought to the surface, these elements can be carefully analyzed and interpreted within the therapeutic context.
Dream interpretation: (dream analysis) The client maintains a dream diary and shares their dreams with the therapist, occasionally using free association techniques. The therapist then analyzes or interprets the content of the dreams to uncover hidden meanings, underlying motivations, and other representations.
Recognizing resistance: The patient withholds information for their betterment and interferes or blocks interpretation. Often the client could be using this a defense.