What is psychodynamic therapy?:

Psychodynamic therapy is the oldest form of the modern talk therapies and is an umbrella term that covers a number of approaches. It is anchored in the theory that unconscious processes operate in the psyche and ultimately influence much of our conscious thinking and behaviour. The aim of the therapy is to bring this unconscious material into awareness and by doing so release the structural conflicts that are causing problems in our lives. 

As such, psychodynamic or analytical therapy is designed to bring unconscious mental processes into awareness with a view to reducing mental suffering. Deep rooted psychological conflicts and unmet developmental needs can present as debilitating conditions such as anxiety, depression, rage and addiction, among others. 

Despite the ubiquity of these conditions in today’s society, each individual condition has a unique origin. We view these conditions as creative solutions to a reality that was unbearable when it was encountered.  We investigate the context in which the condition was created and when its origin is understood, a personal choice emerges.  Creativity is nurtured and a more adaptive, enlivened way of being is supported.

Another tenet of psychodynamic theory is the assumption that our patterns of relating are established in our developmental years and existing relationships conform to these patterns. With this in mind, the relationship with the analyst is used to explore these patterns and resolve underlying issues.