Psychodynamic Therapy in Today’s World

One of the most controversial theories of Psychology, Psychodynamic Theory, was given by one of the most controversial psychologists, Sigmund Freud. Nevertheless, he is prominent across cultures and disciplines. Not all of his ideas have received support and many have been opposed throughout the years across communities of psychologists and academicians. However, many components of the theory have been found to be useful in treating mental disorders like anxiety, eating disorders, personality disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

Psychodynamic Therapy, with its roots in the traditional Psychoanalytic Theory, focuses on interpreting deep emotional framework, one’s core beliefs about themselves and the world, one’s thought patterns and of course, one’s childhood. By analyzing this psychological foundation, the therapy seeks to reduce the symptoms and lead one to live a better life. According to new research published by the American Psychological Association, not only is the therapy effective but its benefits grow more once the treatment has come to a close. Also, many of the contemporary therapies utilize core concepts of the Psychoanalytic Theory.

Psychodynamic Theory: Basics

Psychodynamic therapy is a form of talk therapy wherein the relationship between the therapist and the client, and the client and their relationships is emphasized. The basic premise of the therapy is facilitating an individual in getting in touch with a deeper understanding of their thoughts, emotions and behaviors. This understanding unlocks better thought-emotion-action patterns that are born out of clarity and acceptance.

The therapy banks upon the idea that human motivations, needs and desires are rooted in their unconscious. Bringing these up to the conscious, where they can be seen clearly, is the aim of the therapy. All of human behavior, according to Freud, is a blend of interaction between the intrapsychic forces. These are the id (pleasure), ego (reality) and superego (morality), along with the forces of eros (life instinct) and thanatos (death instinct). It is their dance that gives rise to behaviors that are either adaptive or maladaptive.

According to the theory, the failure to repress one’s desires and needs that cannot be currently met due to social or reality based factors, causes one to use defense mechanisms. Defense mechanisms are unconscious methods used by the psyche to deal with painful emotional material. To an extent, everyone uses them and they serve some adaptive purposes that are useful in healthy everyday functioning. However, it is their excessive use that causes problems.

For example, the use of denial that one’s loved one has passed away and being in the similar state for years altogether or the use of rationalization to justify why one keeps stealing from others.

So, how does the therapy work?

The goals of Psychodynamic Therapy are:

Identification of behavioral, emotional and thought patterns.
Acknowledgement of emotional blind spots.
Understanding the root causes of avoidance.
Unpacking traumatic experiences and freeing oneself from them.
Taking accountability and expanding choices of action.
Improving one’s relationships with others and oneself.

The therapy is known to be long term, spanning months and even years. The rationale is that in order to reach the deepest layers of the human personality, it takes time and patience.

The main processes used are:

Transference: The individual directs their feelings for an important personality in their lives towards the therapist, which in turn allows the unpacking of the particular dynamic. The relationship is then explored further. It can be both positive and negative.
Dream Analysis: Dreams are considered to be “the royal roads to the unconscious” and this technique seeks to interpret remembered dreams as a way to reach the unconscious material. It lays special emphasis on recurrent dreams and nightmares and their symbolic relevance.
Free Association: Another way to reach the unconscious is to allow the individual to verbally express whatever they are feeling and thinking with no prescribed order. The random flow of ideas, memories and desires are not exactly unordered according to the theory. The therapist makes connections between the material and helps the client gain access to the pattern and its relevance.

Psychodynamic therapy works effectively along with other forms of therapy like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and medication to treat severe mental disorders like depression.

In conclusion, the therapy encourages self-exploration, introspection and attaining a better insight into one’s relationship patterns. It equips them with psychological skills that help them make informed decisions. The reasons for why one acts, thinks and feels may be embedded in childhood but addressing it during any stage of life will only lead to mental clarity, perspective and a better quality of life.