Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is It?PrinciplesUsesBenefitsTechniquesEffectiveness
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is It?
Principles
Uses
Benefits
Techniques
Effectiveness
Psychodynamic therapy is a type oftalk therapy(or psychotherapy) that offers a range of benefits. Approaches to psychodynamic therapy are based on a person’s diagnosis and the goals of treatment, including reducing symptoms ofmood disordersand improving functioning inpersonality disorders.Psychodynamic psychotherapy is derived from psychoanalytical theory and psychoanalysis (theories that explain how our personalities develop), and is one of the oldest ofmodern therapies.This article explains the important principles of psychodynamic psychotherapy, as well as when it is used, its benefits, its techniques, and how effective it is when implemented.Fiordaliso / Getty ImagesWhat Is Psychodynamic Therapy?Psychodynamic psychotherapy involves looking at how individuals respond to unconscious forces like defenses and conflict. It focuses on the emotional impact of childhood development and uses the relationship between the therapist and patient as a window into problematic patterns in a patient’s life.In this form of psychotherapy, importance is placed on understanding oneself. It works to not only improve a person’s outward symptoms but also to help that person lead a healthier emotional life.Psychoanalysis and Psychodynamic TheoryFour conceptual domains help form psychodynamic theory:Freudian drive theory: This is the idea that our bodies are always trying to maintain homeostasis (internal balance) and that if homeostasis is disturbed, we enter a state where our focus is to correct it (called a drive).Ego psychology: In psychology, the ego is the name for the “self.” Ego psychology emphasizes how the ego deals with its external environment.Object relations theory: This theory is centered on our relationship with others and how our relationship skills are based on our attachment to our parents.Self psychology: This explores our growth and development related to our early life experiences.What Is Psychology?Core PrinciplesThere are certain areas of focus that will likely be part of a psychodynamic psychotherapy including:A focus on emotionsExploration of defenses against uncomfortable feelingsLooking for recurring emotional themes and patternsDiscussion of past experiences and how they contribute to current distressFocus on relationships, including the one with the therapistHow Is Psychodynamic Therapy Used?Psychodynamic therapy has proven helpful for a variety ofmental health problems, including:Depressive disordersAnxiety disordersEating disordersPersonality disordersBenefits of Psychodynamic TherapyCommon goals and benefits of psychodynamic psychotherapy include:Improvement in interpersonal functioning and relationshipsIncreased functioning at and ability to find satisfaction with workImprovement inself-esteemBetter ability to pursue long-term goalsImproved management of aggression andnegative expressions of emotionDecrease in symptoms of anxiety and depressionWhile these goals are directly related to the problems the patient is experiencing, the other objectives and benefits of treatment are internal changes that the patient will develop and put into practice. These include:Insight into unconscious conflictImprovement in the use of mature psychological defenses and coping mechanismsMore flexibility in perceptions of and behaviors with other peopleImproved quality of the patient’s mental representations of relationshipsBetter ability for the patient to comprehend their and others’ mental statesTechniquesIn psychodynamic psychotherapy, there are a few attitudes and approaches that are common:Accepting: The therapist validates and accepts all aspects of the patient’s current and past experiences.Understanding: The therapist seeks to understand how the patient’s conscious and unconscious thoughts contribute to their emotional problems.Explaining: The therapist interprets and explains their understanding to the patient.All the techniques used in this therapy combine expressive and supportive interventions. The expressive interventions allow the patient to look inside themselves and think about their emotions, behaviors, experiences, and interactions with others. This helps the patient to become more aware of these aspects while understanding and taking responsibility for them.How are supportive interventions used?Supportive interventions are used in many types of psychotherapy, from helping the patient utilize specific behavioral strategies, to supporting the patient emotionally.Psychotherapy involves validating the patient’s emotions; bringing their attention to their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors; and asking clarifying questions. Sometimes the therapist will provide more direct guidance, reassure the patient, or teach coping skills.EffectivenessA lot of research on the effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapy has provided evidence supporting the benefits for different types of disorders.However, the amount of research showing the effectiveness ofcognitive behavioral therapy(CBT), a type of talk therapy that helps a person overcome inaccurate or negative thinking to approach challenges more clearly and effectively, is significantly greater.Of note, some studies have shown that, in contrast to other psychotherapies, psychodynamic psychotherapy promotes certain kinds of emotional growth that extends beyond the duration of the therapy.How long it takes for psychodynamic therapy to work depends on a few factors, including treatment length, the therapist’s individual technique, and the patient’s diagnosis. There are both short-term treatments lasting months, and longer-term treatments that can last years.Psychodynamic therapy requires a collaborative effort between both the patient and therapist. In order for it to be effective, the patient will need to be open and willing to explore distressing or uncomfortable thoughts and feelings.Is Psychodynamic Therapy More Effective Than Medication?The right choice for you depends on your circumstances. If you are experiencing symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations or delusions, or if you do not think you can stick with psychodynamic therapy consistently, then medication may be a better option.This is a decision that you will need to make with a psychiatrist.SummaryPsychodynamic psychotherapy is a method of talk therapy that can help with multiple mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression. It involves the therapist helping the patient to understand their unconscious conflicts and the impact of past experiences on behaviors, thoughts, and feelings, especially relating to relationships with others (including the therapist).The goals are to improve interpersonal functioning, self-awareness, self-esteem, and symptoms of their underlying mental health disorders.Choosing the Right Therapist
Psychodynamic therapy is a type oftalk therapy(or psychotherapy) that offers a range of benefits. Approaches to psychodynamic therapy are based on a person’s diagnosis and the goals of treatment, including reducing symptoms ofmood disordersand improving functioning inpersonality disorders.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is derived from psychoanalytical theory and psychoanalysis (theories that explain how our personalities develop), and is one of the oldest ofmodern therapies.
This article explains the important principles of psychodynamic psychotherapy, as well as when it is used, its benefits, its techniques, and how effective it is when implemented.
Fiordaliso / Getty Images
What Is Psychodynamic Therapy?
Psychodynamic psychotherapy involves looking at how individuals respond to unconscious forces like defenses and conflict. It focuses on the emotional impact of childhood development and uses the relationship between the therapist and patient as a window into problematic patterns in a patient’s life.
In this form of psychotherapy, importance is placed on understanding oneself. It works to not only improve a person’s outward symptoms but also to help that person lead a healthier emotional life.
Psychoanalysis and Psychodynamic TheoryFour conceptual domains help form psychodynamic theory:Freudian drive theory: This is the idea that our bodies are always trying to maintain homeostasis (internal balance) and that if homeostasis is disturbed, we enter a state where our focus is to correct it (called a drive).Ego psychology: In psychology, the ego is the name for the “self.” Ego psychology emphasizes how the ego deals with its external environment.Object relations theory: This theory is centered on our relationship with others and how our relationship skills are based on our attachment to our parents.Self psychology: This explores our growth and development related to our early life experiences.
Psychoanalysis and Psychodynamic Theory
Four conceptual domains help form psychodynamic theory:Freudian drive theory: This is the idea that our bodies are always trying to maintain homeostasis (internal balance) and that if homeostasis is disturbed, we enter a state where our focus is to correct it (called a drive).Ego psychology: In psychology, the ego is the name for the “self.” Ego psychology emphasizes how the ego deals with its external environment.Object relations theory: This theory is centered on our relationship with others and how our relationship skills are based on our attachment to our parents.Self psychology: This explores our growth and development related to our early life experiences.
Four conceptual domains help form psychodynamic theory:
What Is Psychology?
Core Principles
There are certain areas of focus that will likely be part of a psychodynamic psychotherapy including:
How Is Psychodynamic Therapy Used?
Psychodynamic therapy has proven helpful for a variety ofmental health problems, including:
Benefits of Psychodynamic Therapy
Common goals and benefits of psychodynamic psychotherapy include:
While these goals are directly related to the problems the patient is experiencing, the other objectives and benefits of treatment are internal changes that the patient will develop and put into practice. These include:
In psychodynamic psychotherapy, there are a few attitudes and approaches that are common:
All the techniques used in this therapy combine expressive and supportive interventions. The expressive interventions allow the patient to look inside themselves and think about their emotions, behaviors, experiences, and interactions with others. This helps the patient to become more aware of these aspects while understanding and taking responsibility for them.
How are supportive interventions used?Supportive interventions are used in many types of psychotherapy, from helping the patient utilize specific behavioral strategies, to supporting the patient emotionally.Psychotherapy involves validating the patient’s emotions; bringing their attention to their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors; and asking clarifying questions. Sometimes the therapist will provide more direct guidance, reassure the patient, or teach coping skills.
How are supportive interventions used?
Supportive interventions are used in many types of psychotherapy, from helping the patient utilize specific behavioral strategies, to supporting the patient emotionally.Psychotherapy involves validating the patient’s emotions; bringing their attention to their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors; and asking clarifying questions. Sometimes the therapist will provide more direct guidance, reassure the patient, or teach coping skills.
Supportive interventions are used in many types of psychotherapy, from helping the patient utilize specific behavioral strategies, to supporting the patient emotionally.
Psychotherapy involves validating the patient’s emotions; bringing their attention to their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors; and asking clarifying questions. Sometimes the therapist will provide more direct guidance, reassure the patient, or teach coping skills.
A lot of research on the effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapy has provided evidence supporting the benefits for different types of disorders.
However, the amount of research showing the effectiveness ofcognitive behavioral therapy(CBT), a type of talk therapy that helps a person overcome inaccurate or negative thinking to approach challenges more clearly and effectively, is significantly greater.
Of note, some studies have shown that, in contrast to other psychotherapies, psychodynamic psychotherapy promotes certain kinds of emotional growth that extends beyond the duration of the therapy.
How long it takes for psychodynamic therapy to work depends on a few factors, including treatment length, the therapist’s individual technique, and the patient’s diagnosis. There are both short-term treatments lasting months, and longer-term treatments that can last years.
Psychodynamic therapy requires a collaborative effort between both the patient and therapist. In order for it to be effective, the patient will need to be open and willing to explore distressing or uncomfortable thoughts and feelings.
Is Psychodynamic Therapy More Effective Than Medication?The right choice for you depends on your circumstances. If you are experiencing symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations or delusions, or if you do not think you can stick with psychodynamic therapy consistently, then medication may be a better option.This is a decision that you will need to make with a psychiatrist.
Is Psychodynamic Therapy More Effective Than Medication?
The right choice for you depends on your circumstances. If you are experiencing symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations or delusions, or if you do not think you can stick with psychodynamic therapy consistently, then medication may be a better option.This is a decision that you will need to make with a psychiatrist.
Summary
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is a method of talk therapy that can help with multiple mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression. It involves the therapist helping the patient to understand their unconscious conflicts and the impact of past experiences on behaviors, thoughts, and feelings, especially relating to relationships with others (including the therapist).
The goals are to improve interpersonal functioning, self-awareness, self-esteem, and symptoms of their underlying mental health disorders.
Choosing the Right Therapist
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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APA Dictionary of Psychology.Psychodynamic psychotherapy.
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Brown B.Drive theory. In:Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. Springer, 2020.
American Psychological Association.Ego psychology.
Sravkic D, Zorumski C.Neuroscience of object relations in health and disorder: A proposal for an integrative model.Front Psychol.2021 Mar;12(1):1-25. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.583743
American Psychological Association.Self psychology.
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Steinert C, Munder T, Rabung S, Hoyer J, Leichsenring F.Psychodynamic therapy: as efficacious as other empirically supported treatments? A meta-analysis testing equivalence of outcomes. AJP. 2017;174(10):943-953. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.17010057
Abbass AA, Kisely SR, Town JM, et al.Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapies for common mental disorders. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2014;(7). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004687.pub4.
Lannitelli A, Parnanzone S, Pizziconi G, Riccobono G, Pacitti F.Psychodynamically oriented psychopharmacotherapy: Towards a necessary synthesis.Front Hum Neurosci. 2019 Jan;13(15):1-6. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2019.00015
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