Psychodynamic therapy

What is psychodynamic therapy?

Psychodynamic therapy is one of the major approaches in psychotherapy. Perhaps Sigmund Freud and Carl Ljung come to mind when you hear the term psychodynamic therapy? The predecessor of psychodynamic therapy is psychoanalysis. There, the client could go to therapy several times a week and sit on a couch, while the therapist sat behind. Later came psychodynamic therapy, which was very much based on psychoanalysis, but the therapist became more active in his or her role.

Psychodynamic therapy is a psychotherapy that focuses on understanding and treating mental health problems and behaviors. Instead of just focusing on current behaviors, psychodynamic therapy focuses on what is creating the problem. This allows one to understand or identify underlying causes behind the behavior. Psychodynamic therapy uses theories of human psychology to understand the reasons behind the behavior.

These theories often focus on the dynamics between different parts of the mental system and how this system affects behavior and emotions. Psychodynamic therapy is an approach that advocates that people should try to solve problems by understanding and working with their inner conflicts and drives. The most common techniques used in psychodynamic therapy are exploring the person's memories and feelings. The psychotherapist may also use techniques such as creating and exploring fantasies, analyzing dreams and personal relationships. These techniques are designed to help people understand their behaviors and feelings better, which can lead to them being able to better manage their problems.

Difference between CBT and psychodynamic therapy

Unlike CBT as a form of treatment, psychodynamic therapy focuses more on what in the past has caused the problems in the present. The therapist interprets what is said in the room and what they feel in the conversation with the client, which is called transference and countertransference. Then the therapist uses the information they receive from the client and looks for patterns and defenses. By interpreting and feeding back their interpretations, the client can gain insights that lead to a better understanding of themselves. In this way, the client can find solutions to their problems. Psychodynamic therapy also focuses on the client's feelings and thoughts that lie beneath the defenses. By making the subconscious visible, the person can understand themselves better and thus make more conscious life choices. With the help of psychodynamic therapy, the client can be the person they really want to be to a greater extent. 

Psychodynamic therapy is a long-term process

Psychodynamic therapy is a long-term process that often takes longer to see results than other types of therapy. At the beginning of therapy, the therapist will focus on examining the person's life experiences, how they have influenced their current situation and what factors are driving their behavior. The focus is also on examining different patterns in their behavior and emotional reactions. The therapist may also use techniques such as exploring the person's beliefs, analyzing emotional reactions and relationships, exploring the person's motivation and trying to understand how this affects their current behaviour and emotions. As psychodynamic therapy focuses on understanding and overcoming various inner conflicts, it can sometimes lead to greater self-awareness and personal change.

Psychodynamic therapy Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö

We at Sveapsykologerna offer psychodynamic therapy at our clinics in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. Book a free consultation for advice and tips on how you can be helped by us and what steps you can take.

The theory behind psychodynamic therapy

Central to psychodynamic therapy is the idea that psychological symptoms have meaning and can be understood. This theory is based on the idea that psychological symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, occur when people no longer find ways to cope with emotions and relationships. These may be strategies that were functional for the person earlier in life, but are no longer so. A basic idea is that people are controlled by thoughts and feelings that are not always conscious. We have psychological defenses that protect us emotionally from inner conflict and pain. These can be complex emotions such as inferiority or anger.

Speak openly and freely about difficulties

In a psychodynamic therapy treatment, the person is given the opportunity to speak openly and freely about various difficulties. These include things experienced earlier in life, but also what is happening here and now. We often carry early relationship patterns with us through life. Within the framework of the therapeutic relationship, you have the opportunity to explore your thoughts and feelings to get to know yourself better, see patterns and understand how the problems arose. In this way, a personal process of change can take place. If the person is suffering from specific depression or anxiety conditions, it can often be helpful to work in parallel with CBT treatment (read more under the heading "CBT"). It is usually possible to integrate the different forms of psychotherapy.