What's Psychodynamic Therapy?

While psychotherapy can take many forms—and no one type is inherently better than another—psychodynamic therapy and psychodynamic psychology are the style you may be most familiar with if you've seen therapists' offices portrayed in TV shows and movies.

In fact, if you’ve never visited a therapist and you have a mental image gleaned from watching The Sopranos—you’re probably picturing a psychodynamic psychology approach.

Psychodynamic therapy is essentially a type of open-ended talk therapy that explores the inner psychological drives influencing each person's personality and behavior.

Therapists who practice a psychodynamic psychology approach encourage us to examine our thoughts and feelings to help us develop better self-awareness.

Through this process, we better see and recognize the impact past experiences and events can have on our current behavior.

The psychodynamic theory of personality can help us understand our emotions the unconscious patterns that shape our actions and how we relate to other people.

What can I expect from a psychodynamic therapy appointment?

Typically, here's what psychodynamic therapy looks like:

You find a therapist, make an appointment, go into an office of some kind (which sometimes can be a cordoned off section of a therapist’s home), sit on a couch or in a chair, and talk about your problems, feelings, and relationships—generally either once or twice a week.

During pandemic times, you may schedule a telehealth video meeting for your psychodynamic therapy appointment. Many therapists in the Monarch Directory allow you to book a free consultation online.

The psychodynamic theory of personality can help us understand our emotions and unconscious patterns that shape our actions and how we relate to other people.

And it’s the discussion and examination of your reactions in relationships—and building a relationship with your therapist—that’s particularly important to the psychodynamic process.

“The essence of psychodynamic therapy is exploring those aspects of self that are not fully known," writes psychologist Dr. Jonathan Shedler.

Examining your thoughts and feelings regarding your relationships with other people—including the relationship you have with your therapist—is an important part of the psychodynamic process.

Psychodynamic therapy techniques

Psychodynamic therapy was evolved from psychoanalysis, the form of therapy pioneered by Sigmund Freud in Vienna, Austria in the late 1800s.

Psychoanalysis, aka talk therapy, has a lot of old-fashioned (and generally unfair) stereotypes connected to it, and sometimes people apply those assumptions to psychodynamic therapy as well.

The caricature of a stern, emotionally withdrawn therapist who makes you lie down on a couch while they silently sit behind you taking notes is not likely what you’re going to experience. 

Because therapy involves examining intense emotions and strongly held beliefs, you’ll find the patterns you have in other relationships will very likely come out with your therapist.

A great psychodynamic therapist will be engaged. They’ll ask you open-ended questions about your life and experiences, and they’ll be actively interested in your free association responses.

And while there may be times they’ll sit quietly and give you space to talk and think, they won’t be absent or judgmental.

This is a person-centered, empathetic approach to therapy.

Examples of psychodynamic psychology

A psychodynamic therapist will be particularly interested in understanding your relationships.

While you’ll have a safe space to discuss the specific issues that led you to therapy, the relationships you have with other people are an essential element of your experience and background.

Reflecting on the ways in which you typically relate to other people in your life is integral to this specific form of therapy.

Not only will you discuss your relationships with friends, family, coworkers, bosses, supervisors, and neighbors—in psychodynamic therapy you'll also be encouraged to talk with your therapist about the relationships you have with each of these important people in your life.

“The psychodynamic therapist tries to help patients understand how they contribute both to beneficial and painful relationship patterns," writes Dr. Michael Miller, the editor-in-chief of the Harvard Mental Health Letter. "And how such reactions often originate within the self yet foster the tendency to see the outside world (including relationships) as the exclusive source of disappointment or other painful emotion.”

Because the therapeutic relationship is built on trust—and because therapy involves examining intense emotions and strongly held beliefs—you’ll find the patterns you have in other relationships will very likely also be demonstrated in how you relate to your therapist.

If you grew up with a distant and disapproving parent, you may very well experience your therapist the same way.

It’s your therapist’s job to help you identify, understand, and work through those patterns in a way that’s safe and supportive.

Benefits of psychodynamic perspective

According to therapist Ellen Biros, MS, LCSW, C-PD, psychodynamic therapy is usually used to help people suffering from depression, anxiety, and panic disorder.

"The evidence indicates that the benefits of psychodynamic treatment are lasting and not just transitory," writes Dr. Jonathan Shedler. "For many people, psychodynamic therapy may foster inner resources and capacities that allow richer, freer, and more fulfilling lives.”

Psychodynamic therapy has been rigorously studied and is grounded in research and supervised practice.

According to Abbass et al. there’s evidence that even short-term psychodynamic therapy (where a person is in therapy for a combined 40 hours or less) can be beneficial.

How to find a therapist near you with a psychodynamic approach

A good psychodynamic therapist will help you to feel safe when you sit down to talk.

And, if therapy is successful, you’ll find your problems and emotions will become increasingly manageable over time.

This isn’t a coincidence.

If you're looking for a therapist with a psychodynamic approach, visit MeetMonarch.com and search for a therapist in your area. Then, you can choose to filter the results by clicking on "Approaches" and typing in psychodynamic therapy.

READ NEXT: What's the Difference Between Stress and Anxiety?

Need to find a therapist near you? Check out the SimplePractice Monarch Directory to find licensed mental health therapists with availability and online booking.