What is psychodynamic therapy?
A way of understanding yourself that goes beyond the surface. Psychodynamic therapy helps you make sense of how your past experiences shape the way you feel and relate to others now.
Psychodynamic therapy is a form of talking therapy that focuses on understanding the root causes of how you feel, rather than just managing the symptoms. It's based on the idea that our early experiences, particularly our relationships, shape the way we see ourselves and the world around us.
By exploring those experiences in a safe and confidential space, you can start to make sense of patterns that may have been affecting you for a long time, often without you realising. The BACP has a helpful overview of psychodynamic therapy if you'd like to read more about the approach.
In practice, psychodynamic therapy is a conversation. You talk about whatever is on your mind, and I listen carefully, not just to the words, but to what might be going on underneath. Together, we look for patterns in how you relate to others, how you deal with difficult feelings, and how your past might be showing up in your present.
There are no worksheets or techniques to practise at home. Instead, the relationship between us becomes an important part of the work. Sometimes I might gently challenge or reflect something back to you, and sometimes we'll sit with something difficult until it starts to make more sense.
It's not about quick fixes. It's about building a deeper understanding of yourself that lasts.
You may have heard of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which is probably the most widely known form of talking therapy. CBT focuses on changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours in the here and now. It tends to be structured, time-limited, and goal-oriented.
Psychodynamic therapy takes a different approach. Rather than focusing on changing specific thoughts or behaviours, it looks at where those patterns come from in the first place. It's less about managing symptoms and more about understanding the deeper roots of how you feel.
Neither approach is better or worse. They simply work in different ways. Some people find that understanding the "why" behind their feelings is what helps them move forward, and that's where psychodynamic therapy can be particularly valuable.
People come to therapy for all sorts of reasons. You don't need to have a diagnosis or be in crisis. Some of the most common things people bring include:
But really, you don't need a specific reason to start therapy. Sometimes it's just a feeling that something isn't quite right, or a sense that there might be more to understand about yourself. That's enough.
Sessions are 50 minutes long and usually take place once a week, on the same day and at the same time. That consistency is an important part of how psychodynamic therapy works. It creates a reliable space that you can come back to each week.
How long therapy lasts varies from person to person. Some people come for a few months with something specific in mind. Others stay for longer, especially if they want to explore things more deeply. We'll talk about this together and review as we go, so you always feel in control of the process.
There's no set number of sessions you need to commit to. What matters is that the work feels useful to you.
Curious about whether this approach might suit you?
If you'd like to know more or you're thinking about starting therapy, get in touch. We can have a conversation about what you're looking for and whether psychodynamic therapy feels like the right fit.