Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
The framework of psychodynamic psychotherapy is developed out of the techniques and theory of psychoanalysis. This approach has been given many names, such as “deep therapy,” “talk therapy,” “the talking cure,” and/or “psychoanalytic psychotherapy.” In general, the treatment begins by first developing a trusting relationship with a skilled and compassionate therapist.
The focus of the therapy is directed toward exploring and understanding the issues that initially prompted the search for treatment. The treatment includes developing ways to manage troublesome or painful symptoms. Gradually the scope of the work would move toward a thorough exploration of past relationships and events, particularly those of childhood. Childhood experiences shape the sense-of-self, which becomes the lens through which all subsequent relationships are seen and acted upon. Much of what we believe about ourselves is created out of an attempt to make sense of early, perhaps troubling or confusing relationships. By revisiting the past with a compassionate therapist, much can be gained toward healing the mind.
Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis is a method of treating emotional difficulties to gain insight into the individual’s inner world and how it affects his or her emotions, behavior, and relationships. This treatment is based on the idea that people are frequently motivated by unrecognized wishes and desires that originate in one’s unconscious. These can be identified through the relationship between patient and analyst. By listening to patients’ stories, fantasies, and dreams, as well as discerning how patients interact with others, psychoanalysts offer a unique perspective that friends and relatives might be unable to see.
Unconscious conflicts can cause anxiety, moodiness, or depressive thoughts; troubling personality traits; or difficulties at work or in finding or maintaining long-term relationships. Many such problems have their roots in past experiences and relationships. Psychoanalysis seeks to bring troubling unconscious forces into conscious awareness and identify underlying problematic patterns and behaviors. With the insights gained during analysis, the patient can work at improving relationships and productivity, interrupt self-defeating or self-destructive patterns, and perhaps even unlock creative potential. Typically, psychoanalysis involves the patient coming several times a week and communicating as openly and freely as possible. While more frequent sessions deepen and intensify the treatment, frequency of sessions is worked out between the patient and analyst.