Psychotherapy

Psychodynamic psychotherapy is the daughter of classical psychoanalysis and, since its foundation, has spawned children of its own. Let’s debunk some common myths surrounding this approach and demonstrate how much it actually has in common with all modern schools of thought.

Flavours of psychodynamic

Psychotherapy comes in many flavours, and psychodynamic therapy has its own variations. However, this diversity isn’t limited to the techniques themselves, as both therapists and clients bring something unique to each session. Hence, my experience of the same type of therapy may differ drastically depending on the therapist and the issue I’m struggling with.

Psychodynamic approaches are all underpinned by several schools of thought in psychoanalysis, and the major ones to be aware of are: Freudian, Jungian, Kleinian, Winnicott, and Adlerian. The founders of each of those schools have each made a huge contribution to the field, and each one had some interesting perspectives to offer. The diversity of thought allows one to choose how to best explain one challenge or another. The main foundational premise of all of them, which essentially unites them all, is that people’s thoughts and feelings are underpinned by unconscious material that has shaped certain patterns in thinking, feeling, and behaving. These patterns can serve a person well, but sometimes get in the way and hinder change on the path to a happier and more comfortable life. Uncovering those unconscious thoughts (insight) helps the person understand themselves and thus become more open to change.

Psychodynamic and other approaches

Psychodynamic therapy is, of course, not the only one there is. Take, for instance, person-centred, cognitive, cognitive-behavioural, behavioural, narrative, solution-focused, motivational interviewing, to name a few. Interestingly, whenever I read about any of those approaches, I can’t help but notice how much in common they all have, despite the quibbling about their illusory differences.

What to expect

In the beginning, we talk. You share what’s been going on — what brought you here, what you’ve been feeling, what keeps coming up. I’ll ask questions, some of which may feel straightforward and others surprisingly direct. That’s intentional. Psychodynamic work is interested in what’s underneath, not just what’s on the surface. And sometimes what makes us uncomfortable is of the utmost importance.

Over time, we start to notice patterns together — in how you relate to people, in what triggers certain reactions, in the stories you tell yourself without realising. Your history matters here, perhaps more than in other approaches. Understanding your family, your early relationships, and the emotional landscape you grew up in helps us make sense of what’s happening now.

Sometimes the work goes deep. A question might land in an unexpected place, or a silence might feel heavier than you’d expect. That’s not a mistake — it’s often where the most important material lives. If something hurts, we don’t rush past it. We pause, and when it feels right, we explore why. Not always, but when it’s useful, that discomfort can become a doorway to understanding.

One of the most powerful parts of this work is what happens between us in the room. You might notice yourself reacting to me in ways that feel familiar — frustration, a need to please, guardedness. Therapists call this transference, and it’s not a problem; it’s information. How you feel towards me often mirrors how you feel with others in your life. A good therapist stays attuned to this — noticing not just your patterns but their own responses too — so we can use the relationship itself as a lens for understanding. You’re free, welcome and even encouraged to share your thoughts about my questions or sudden feelings about me. This all might be relevant.

There may also be moments of silence, free association (saying whatever comes to mind without filtering), or even dream work. These aren’t esoteric techniques — they’re ways of giving the unconscious a chance to speak when the conscious mind has been doing all the talking.

Is this approach right for you?

Open-ended psychodynamic therapy works well when the difficulties you’re facing are deep-rooted, long-standing, or hard to pin down. It’s suited to people who:

Experience recurring patterns — in relationships, emotional responses, or self-sabotage — that don’t seem to shift.
Are dealing with depression, anxiety, or emotional pain that keeps returning despite previous treatment.
Have questions about identity, self-worth, or who they are beneath the roles they play.
Want to understand why they feel and react the way they do, not just manage symptoms.
Are willing to sit with discomfort and look inward honestly — this work asks something of you.

This isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about lasting change that comes from genuinely understanding yourself.

When it may not be the right approach

Open-ended psychodynamic therapy may not be the best starting point if:

You’re in acute crisis or experiencing active suicidal thoughts — stabilisation and safety come first.
You’re looking for structured, skills-based tools for a specific problem — CBT or behavioural approaches may be more effective.
You have OCD or phobias — these tend to respond better to exposure-based methods such as CBT.
You’re dealing with active substance dependence — this typically needs to be addressed before depth work can begin, but we can still work on it.
You want a time-limited, focused engagement — consider time-limited psychodynamic therapy instead

None of this is a judgement. The right therapy is the one that fits where you are right now. If you’re not sure, that’s exactly what the free intro call is for.

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