Psychodynamic Therapy - History, Benefits, Techniques, Principles, and Stages

Introduction

Various approaches exist to treat depression and mental illness experienced by adults and older adults worldwide. The psychodynamic approach works correspondingly to classic psychoanalytical therapy. The intervention aids in changing the quality of life and guides them better understand the way they think and express themselves. Psychodynamic theory is based on the art of Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis.

What Is Psychodynamic Therapy?

Psychodynamic psychotherapy is an in-depth talk therapy offering a helping hand to those in trouble with social relations. Here, the professional therapist communicates with the clients and makes them sound out their experiences and emotions. This intervention relieves unconscious conflicts, is basal for anxiety and depression, and calms the mind of emotional distress through several sessions. The change in unconscious belief would reflect in the client’s behavior. The intervention is accessible to individuals, families, and groups.

History of Psychodynamic Therapy.

The current theory of psychodynamics is the modulated version of the traditional psyche and dynamics. In 1874, Von Bruke, a german physician and physiologist, framed the principle of psychodynamics. Carl, Alfred, Otto, and Melanie enhance application spots and applications in psychology. Freud conceived them with the human psyche.

What Are the Benefits of Psychodynamic Therapy?

Psychodynamic therapy targets people encountering depression and who have lost the meaning of their lives. Like psychoanalytical therapy, psychodynamic therapy is also evident-based and intensive. Primarily, the treatment treats depression and alleviates the symptoms of other psychological disorders. In addition, the therapy benefits the following common illness.

• Anxiety.

• Eating disorders.

• Depression.

• Borderline personality disorders.

• Interpersonal and socio-relational problems.

• Substance use disorder.

• Psychological distress.

• Social anxiety disorder.

• Anorexia nervosa.

Besides, the following conditions are less likely to have benefited from psychodynamic therapy.

• Psychosis.

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder.

• Post-traumatic stress.

• Social phobia.

• Panic disorder.

• Indescribable chronic pain.

How Does Psychodynamic Therapy Work?

Psychodynamic therapy has a unique component compared to other psychological therapies. That includes acknowledging and expressing the patient’s contradictory feelings and improving them. This intervention also targets people who are aware of their issues but cannot resolve them. For instance, people with depression and psycho-related conditions analyze their early experiences and resolve their hardships in behavior and environmental circumstances. Psychotherapy is short-term and long-term related to the patient’s symptoms. Short-term incorporates 25-30 sessions for six to eight months, while long-term is about 50 sessions for more than a year.

What Includes the Principles and Characteristics of Psychodynamic Therapy?

The psychodynamic approach works based on several fundamental principles. The following are the typical principles of psychodynamic psychotherapy.

• A fact that psychopathology progresses from early childhood experiences.

• Unconscious conflicts like social pressure and psychic status could affect conscious thoughts and behavior.

• Expanding the client-therapist relationship would make the clients address their life issues and dynamics comfortably.

• The main objective of the client-therapist relationship is transference and countertransference. There, the client transfers their feelings to a therapist, and the therapist, in turn, redirects toward the client.

• Identifying the defenses and working on them would remit unpleasant consequences.

• Experiences configure personality and thus, the response to those incidents.

• Enhancing insights is vital for the therapy to succeed.

• Letting the clients free of the past could take them to a bright future.

• Using the aids like association would better explore one’s internal conflict and issues.

What Encloses the Stages of Psychodynamic Therapy?

The psychodynamic intervention is about listening to the patient and then reflecting on those ideas by understanding the conflicts and information. Then, finally, intervening in the therapeutic alliance. Indicated below are the four stages of psychodynamic therapy.

• The Beginning or Evaluation Phase. This is the phase of assessment and history-taking. In this initial phase, the therapist enquires about family history, childhood experiences, fantasy beliefs, and substance use.

• The Induction Phase. The intervention and the client-therapist relationship begin in this phase. The therapist will set goals and guide the client in practicing psychodynamic therapy.

• Mid-Phase. The most extended phase of the therapy. The goals set during the induction phase are achieved here.

• Termination-Phase. Here, this phase evaluates the changes so far and the future. Cessation of treatment and relationship. And also, the therapist plans for future therapy.

How Effective Is Psychodynamic Therapy?

The efficiency of psychodynamic and psychoanalytical therapies is evident and clinical-trials based. A meta-analyzed study proved the psychodynamic theory is more promising than other approaches and anti-depressants. Furthermore, the American Journal of Psychiatry manifested that psychodynamic therapy is productive. In 2017, another meta-analyzed stated the treatment was as efficacious as cognitive behavioral therapy. But the personality changes resulting from psychodynamic treatment are still a bias.

Know More About Psychodynamic Therapy.

Firstly, address the issue and the thoughts on or off the psychodynamic therapy to one’s doctor. Then, here are several useful tips about the intervention to look at.

• Each session has different stuff.

• When one has nothing to talk about, one must indulge in sharing something about the experience and emotions.

• Never neglect any session. Pay attention to every session.

• Express anything in mind, as the entire hour is one.

• The theme is ‘free association,’ so it’s never wrong to be off-topic.

• Psychodynamic therapy, in some instances, takes many years.

• The therapy works by any means, only with full attention and involvement.

• One will see the swap even after thinking it will not work out.

• Never leave somewhere unless the content is not yet arrived.

• Be patient and express the thoughts that pop into the mind to the therapist. And he is there to alleviate the symptoms and thoughts.

Conclusion

Of all therapies, psychodynamic therapy is more likely to have a robust client-therapist relationship which is known to be a demand to understand the psychological aliments of the patient. Interventions to address the underlying desires, dreams, fantasies, fears and primary causes of illness are examined. The therapy then fixates the actual cause.