What Are The Benefits Of Psychodynamic Therapy For Mental Health?
Psychodynamic therapy is thought to have begun in the 1880s with Sigmund Freud’s development of psychoanalysis. Modern psychodynamic psychotherapy techniques are generally the result of Freud’s work. Sigmund Freud’s contributions are often believed to have pushed the envelope of psychology into a new era, and modern psychodynamics may owe its existence to Freud and his research.
The focus of psychodynamic therapy is usually to uncover the unconscious reasons for conscious behaviors. It is mainly focused on the study of unconscious psychological drives and impulses that may be the result of early experiences. Psychodynamic therapy can be viewed as a study of how conscious and unconscious motivations are related. It’s possible to finish psychodynamic therapy sessions online or in person at a therapist’s office.
How does psychodynamic therapy work?
Unwanted thoughts and behaviors can stem from unconscious triggers that were developed in response to early life experiences. Psychodynamic therapy is generally designed to uncover the psychological processes that can be formed during early life experiences. Once the processes are uncovered, the client often begins to understand their motivations and behaviors, potentially alleviating unwanted symptoms.
Psychodynamic therapists are typically interested in the past; they usually want to know all about their client’s past because this information may be the basis for present behavior patterns. Behavior patterns are often repeated, and traumatic events in the past may be the reason for behavior patterns. An example of a past event that can trigger behavior patterns may be divorce. A child of divorce may develop abandonment issues if one of their parents does not participate in their life after the divorce.
There can be many reasons for present unwanted behavior patterns and unwanted recurring thoughts. The therapist’s job is usually to investigate the past and discover events that have led to present behaviors and thoughts, then work with the client to eliminate those behaviors and thoughts. Understanding the event that led to the problems is often the first step; a therapist can work with clients to help them understand the relationship between the event and the present behaviors.
Behaviors and patterns may begin to lessen once the past event is entirely investigated, evaluated, and understood. If the patterns continue, more work is usually done; other events and experiences may have led to the present problems. Another reason for the behaviors and patterns to continue may be a lack of understanding; it can be difficult to see the relationship between the event and the present behavior.
What mental health symptoms can psychodynamic psychotherapy treat?
Psychodynamic therapy can treat a wide range of mental and emotional symptoms, behaviors, and behavior patterns. Self-awareness or self-knowledge is typically the goal of treatment, and most mental health conditions respond to this treatment. Psychodynamic therapy can also help an individual cope with present issues resulting from an event such as divorce. Talking through problems, emotions, and traumatic events can foster a deeper self-awareness, potentially enabling the individual to understand “why.” While some people don’t consider psychodynamic therapy as robust as more mainstream techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy, there are some studies supporting the efficacy of psychodynamic therapy. Listed below are some of the mental health disorders and symptoms psychodynamic therapy can treat.
Mental health issues that psychodynamic therapy can help
Physical problems caused by stress and anxiety
Anxiety
Panic disorders
Depression
Other depression-related disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder or other conditions related to traumatic stress
Personality disorders
Borderline personality disorder
Physical symptoms without a physical basis
Sadness
Loneliness
Some psychology researchers and other mental health care professionals believe that psychodynamic therapy can even help those with mental health disorders such as schizophrenia. The benefits of receiving psychodynamic therapy can be significant, and they usually stem from the ability to recognize behaviors and their triggers. The idea is that once an individual recognizes behaviors and their triggers, they can effectively work through the symptoms by recognizing them for what they are.
Potential benefits of psychodynamic therapy
The goal of psychodynamic therapy is generally to provide the client with a practical understanding of themselves that may relieve symptoms, and this understanding tends to grow even after treatment is over. The following is a list of benefits psychodynamic therapy can provide:
The ability to recognize symptoms before they get out of control
Confidence
Self-awareness
Coping skills
A deeper knowledge of self
Acceptance
Long-lasting, effective relief
A meta-analysis found that short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy, a more recent development than traditional psychodynamic therapy, may be useful as a brief intervention for many mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety. Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy approaches may significantly reduce the amount of time it takes for someone to see benefits.
The benefits of psychodynamic therapy are usually long-lasting
The benefits of psychodynamic therapy are generally rooted in the understanding that recognizing behaviors for what they are can help clients build healthy coping mechanisms. Psychodynamic therapy may answer why we do what we do, tying past events and subconscious constructs into present behaviors and behavior patterns. Once there is an answer for why, it is often easier to address the behavior for what it is. The benefits of psychodynamic therapy are usually long-lasting because there is an answer to the behavior and coping skills to alleviate the symptoms.
Types of psychodynamic therapy
There can be different types of psychodynamic therapy. The core principles tend to be the same no matter which type of psychodynamic therapy is used, but the actual modes of therapy can be different. The following is a list of the different types of psychodynamic therapy that may be available:
Group psychodynamic therapy – This therapy usually involves a group of individuals who are experiencing similar problems. The group is typically monitored and guided by a therapist, and those in the group are often encouraged to discuss their histories.
Family psychodynamic therapy – This type of therapy can be administered in both individual and group settings. The therapist tends to work individually with family and guide group therapy sessions with the family. This therapy can effectively create and maintain healthy family dynamics and ease transitions through life events such as divorce, death, and any other event that affects the entire family.
Individual psychodynamic therapy – This therapy is often done one-on-one with the therapist. The therapist usually encourages talking about the past and working through present problems using the information gained. Individual therapy can help with everything from post-traumatic stress disorder to abandonment issues.
Improvisational psychodynamic music therapy – This is a relatively new therapy, but it is generally designed to help individuals gain a deeper understanding of themselves through music. The therapy is usually guided by a therapist trained in music and music therapy. Clients may play different musical instruments, and they may be encouraged to play and express themselves regardless of their ability.
Long-term psychodynamic therapy – This type of therapy can take as long as two years to finish.
Play therapy – Play therapy is frequently used when working with children. Play is usually monitored indirectly by the therapist, and sometimes it is guided by the therapist.
Art therapy – This is a creative therapy that can be used to relax the individual and help them express themselves and learn about themselves through art.
Drama therapy – Acting or drama can be used to express emotions and creativity and learn about the self.
Dance therapy – Dancing can be used to express emotions and creativity, to learn about the self.
Body therapy -This therapy may be used when there is a problem between the mind and body, and it may use massage, exercise, and talking techniques.
Transpersonal therapy – The therapist may approach the client/therapist relationship and the problem itself using a spiritual understanding of consciousness.
Brief therapy – This type of therapy typically addresses a specific problem and approaches it with direct intervention.
Interpersonal psychotherapy – This therapy is usually time-based and designed to address interpersonal interactions.
Combined with cognitive behavioral therapy or other therapeutic techniques
Psychodynamic therapy is practiced by many health care professionals, such as school counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, psychiatric counselors, family therapists, divorce therapists, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and others. It is also often combined with other therapeutic techniques as part of a holistic approach, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or other types of behavioral therapy.
There are many other psychodynamic therapies; a trained therapist can help you choose which one may be right for you. Sometimes, elements from several different therapies may be combined to create a custom psychodynamic therapy. The classic image of a client lying down on the couch and being questioned by a psychiatrist can display traditional psychodynamic therapy, in which the psychiatrist questions and writes down notes while probing through the past for answers to the present. This tends to be the most basic form of psychodynamic therapy, and it may still be the most popular form used today.
The benefits of psychodynamic therapy online
While it’s possible to see a psychodynamic therapist in person, going to a therapist’s office or finding a psychodynamic therapist in your local area may not always be the most convenient option. Trying online psychodynamic therapy can be more affordable in many cases. Another benefit is that you can often specify what type of therapist you’d like to be matched with, so it can be simple to connect with a licensed mental health professional who focuses on psychodynamic therapy.
Effectiveness of online therapy in improving mental health
As this study explains, online therapy can be as effective as traditional face-to-face therapy. It can treat a wide range of mental health disorders and concerns. If you’re interested in diving into your past to improve your mental health in the present, please don’t hesitate to reach out for the professional help you deserve.
Takeaway
Psychodynamic therapy typically works by looking into your past experiences to explain and alleviate current mental health challenges. This type of therapy can treat many different mental health disorders and symptoms. If you’d like to try psychodynamic therapy for yourself, you may find a suitable licensed therapist locally or through an online therapy platform.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What does psychodynamic psychotherapy focus on?
Psychodynamic therapy typically focuses on the origin of emotional suffering. Using self-reflection and examination, a patient and therapist can discover and understand the causes behind problematic patterns in a patient’s behavior and life.
In contrast to newer forms of therapy, psychodynamic therapy usually aims to understand and fix the root cause of a psychological disorder rather than focusing solely on the symptoms of the psychological disorder. This, in turn, can teach the patient healthier coping mechanisms and guide them to make healthier choices in their lives.
What is a psychodynamic approach to therapy?
Long-term psychodynamic therapy usually involves focusing on the events and situations at the root of a patient’s mental health problems rather than just focusing on the symptoms. According to the American Psychological Association, psychodynamic therapy is a non-directive, global therapy for this reason.
What is an example of psychodynamic therapy?
One of the best classical examples of psychodynamic therapy is what you may have learned about Sigmund Freud. He believed that everything could be traced back to childhood events and how a person was raised and that the only way to truly understand a person was to have them relive their childhood memories, particularly ones that may have been dormant until the treatment.
Is cognitive behavioral therapy a psychodynamic therapy?
No. Cognitive behavioral therapy usually focuses on changing a patient's behavior to help them with the symptoms and effects of their mental health condition. On the other hand, psychodynamic therapy usually focuses on the root cause of the condition and the events that lead to it and helps the patient achieve self-awareness and self-empowerment.
What can I expect from psychodynamic therapy?
Psychodynamic therapy typically focuses on the psychological association between a patient’s past and their present. A therapist will likely utilize the psychodynamic diagnostic manual (PDM) rather than the DSM to make their diagnosis. Psychodynamic psychotherapy tends to focus on the events and situations of a patient’s past and guides them to understand their present.
What are psychodynamic therapy's 5 tools and techniques?
According to the American Psychological Association and the psychodynamic diagnostic manual (PDM), there are five main techniques and tools used in psychodynamic therapy. These tools can include:
The psychodynamic diagnostic manual (PDM) as opposed to the DSM
Rorschach Inkblots
Freudian slips
Free association
Dream analysis
What are the weaknesses of the psychodynamic approach?
There can be a lack of empirical proof that psychodynamic therapy works, and it has been widely criticized for its lack of specific scientific background. Some find flaws in the approach because it emphasizes a lack of free will by making a person’s behavior seem like the events of their childhood predetermine it.
Because of this, it can seem like people are unable to change or that a person will always end up a certain way due to the way they were raised. This is often a source of debate among psychologists, particularly those that focus on behavioral therapy.
Additionally, many of the core tenets of the psychodynamic approach are considered outdated and false today, such as the stages of psychosexual development, Oedipus complex, and penis envy. Psychodynamic therapy has remained largely unchanged since its inception and creation, unlike other psychological fields that have developed along with scientific developments.
What are the key features of the psychodynamic approach?
When you learn about therapy, there are key differences between other therapies and psychodynamic therapy. The key features of psychodynamic therapy can include the following ideas:
Our behavior and feelings as adults can be rooted in our childhood experiences.
Relationships (particularly parenting) are usually of primary importance in determining how we feel and behave.
Our behavior and feelings can be powerfully affected by the meaning of events to the unconscious mind.
Information can be obtained from dreams, irrational behavior, and what patients in therapy say.
The personality is generally made up of three distinct structures: id, ego, and superego.
Defense mechanisms are often used to protect the ego, e.g., repression.
Children may develop through a series of fixed stages: oral, anal, and phallic.
What makes the psychodynamic approach unique?
The psychodynamic approach is often considered unique because it focuses on the root cause of a patient’s conditions and utilizes the psychodynamic diagnostic manual (PDM) to make a diagnosis based on experiences rather than symptoms as in the DSM.
Additionally, unlike many other forms of therapy, typically short-term, psychodynamic therapy will usually last years to help a patient fully. Psychodynamic therapy often brings the ball to the patient’s court by allowing them to speak freely and use free association techniques to express and understand their emotions.
What are the 4 types of talk therapies?
The four types of talk therapies can include the following:
Psychodynamic therapy
Humanistic therapy
Behavioral therapy
Cognitive therapy
How is the psychodynamic approach used today?
Today, the psychodynamic approach is used primarily for major depressive disorder, addiction, social anxiety disorder, and eating disorders. It can help those who have lost meaning in their day-to-day lives and those who have difficulties maintaining and forming relationships.
How long is short-term psychodynamic therapy?
On average, short-term psychodynamic therapy takes between 25-30 sessions, each averaging 50-60 minutes, over the course of 6-8 months. This type of therapy is typically used for social anxiety disorder and minor forms of depression.
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