Methods
Like multiple dominoes, one cascading into the next, every single event and experience in our lives affects the next, and the next, and the next. We will help you zoom out and understand the life patterns that shaped you.
While you may not necessarily have memories of these influential events, their effect on you remains the same. We often take our worldview for granted, not stopping to think why we think a certain way about a certain thing. But these beliefs were not formed in a vacuum. Every experience we’ve had, all the different ways we were treated, positive and negative, all the victories and calamities…these all played a part in forming who you are today. Oftentimes knowing where we came from can give us power to change course if we are not pleased with the direction in which we are heading. The objective third-party view that our clinicians provide can help you make sense of your past and increase the chances that you will be able to positively influence the trajectory of your future.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is an approach to psychotherapy that focuses on uncovering and understanding the unconscious processes and dynamics that influence a person’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It is based on the belief that many psychological issues arise from unresolved conflicts and unresolved experiences from the past.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy works by creating a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship in which the client can explore and gain insight into their unconscious thoughts and emotions. The therapist helps the client examine patterns of behavior, defense mechanisms, and unresolved conflicts, with the goal of fostering self-awareness and promoting positive change.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy employs various techniques to explore the unconscious, including free association, dream analysis, and interpretation of transference and countertransference. Free association involves the client speaking freely about their thoughts and feelings without censorship, allowing unconscious material to surface. Dream analysis involves examining the symbolic content of dreams to gain insight into the client’s unconscious processes. Transference and countertransference refer to the unconscious feelings and reactions that arise between the client and therapist, which can provide valuable information about the client’s internal world.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy can be effective in treating a wide range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, relationship difficulties, and unresolved trauma. It can also help individuals improve self-esteem, enhance self-awareness, and develop healthier coping strategies. However, it’s important to note that the suitability of psychodynamic psychotherapy may vary depending on the individual’s needs and preferences, and a thorough assessment by a qualified therapist is recommended.
Think of it this way: “Those who don’t know their history are doomed to repeat it.” While one can certainly spend too much time ruminating on the past, there is some benefit to studying it just enough so that you increase your self-knowledge, understand the origins of your worldviews, and thereby wrest power from the unconscious processes that keep you repeating unhelpful behaviors.
