What type of disorders are appropriate for psychodynamic therapy

This means that it is based on the concept that talking about problems can help people learn and develop the skills they need to address them. It strives to help people understand the sometimes unknown or unconscious motivations behind difficult feelings and behaviors. Having this insight can lead to symptom relief, help people feel better, and allow them to make better choices.

Psychodynamic therapy is based on the following key principles :. Transference and countertransference are also important. With this approach, the client will transfer their feelings toward someone onto the therapist, and the therapist will redirect these feelings back toward the client.

In psychodynamic therapy, the relationship between the therapist and the client is very important. It provides a container in which people can gain insights into themselves, their pasts, and their feelings. They can develop a better understanding of how they see the world and the ways in which all these factors affect their experiences. With the help of a therapist, people undergoing psychodynamic therapy will work to understand their feelings, beliefs, and childhood experiences. The goal is to help people recognize self-defeating patterns, explore new ways of being in the world, and help people feel better.

A psychodynamic approach to therapy can work with individuals, couples, families, and in group therapy situations. Because its focus tends to be on relationships and understanding thoughts and feelings, which people may have avoided confronting, psychodynamic therapy can be time consuming. Short-term psychodynamic therapy generally lasts for 25—30 sessions over a period of 6—8 months, while long-term psychodynamic therapy — according to one study — may last for longer than a year or span more than 50 sessions.

Psychodynamic therapy grew out of the theories of Sigmund Freud. However, it has evolved considerably from the 19th-century model. Each session will typically last 45 to 50 minutes. Your therapist will try to establish a supportive environment where you feel comfortable talking about your experiences. They will likely allow you to speak freely during sessions. They may occasionally interrupt to ask questions or redirect the discussion.

This neutrality may help strengthen your therapeutic relationship. You may communicate with your therapist on multiple levels, sometimes by indirect means. For instance, they may examine your dreams and fantasies and help you to discover their meaning.

Your therapist will try to help you understand how they have influenced your life. Some people hide or are unaware of traumatic experiences. Your therapist may be able to help you access and talk about them. Psychodynamic therapy is similar to other forms of psychotherapy. It poses minimal risk.

You may struggle with the emotional impact of reliving or sharing the past. But it may improve your long-term well-being and ability to cope. If you suspect that you have depression or another mental health condition, make an appointment with your doctor. Depending on your condition, they may prescribe a combination of medication and therapy. Psychodynamic therapy is a common type of therapy. This may be especially true if you have been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.

Finally, this type of therapy may be good for you if you are looking for an add-on therapy in addition to medication. Research has shown that psychodynamic therapy is more effective than medication alone, so it's reasonable to assume that combining this type of therapy with medication will have positive outcomes.

How do you know if this type of therapy might be wrong for you? Below are some cases in which psychodynamic therapy may not be the best fit for you. Read through the list and see if any seem to describe your situation. Are you interested in psychodynamic therapy but concerned about the time commitment or the cost? If so, you might prefer short-term psychodynamic therapy. While traditional psychodynamic therapy tends to be longer lasting over months or years, with clients sometimes meeting their therapist multiple times per week, short-term psychodynamic therapy takes place over a much shorter time frame.

This type of psychodynamic therapy is actually becoming much more common for managing specific emotional problems and can take place over as little as a 12 to 20 week period.

Are you wondering about psychodynamic therapy for depression? While in the past, evidence for the use of this type of therapy for depression was scarce, increasingly it is being recognized as a valuable contribution in the field of therapy.

This type of therapy may promote long-term reversal of symptoms and is a viable alternative to other approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy CBT and interpersonal therapy IPT. This type of therapy is ideal for the client with depression who wants to explore their past, make connections to their feelings and behaviors in the present, and improve their own coping skills going forward.

It's also best for those who prefer to speak freely during therapy compared to those who like to follow a manualized treatment program. Finally, psychodynamic therapy for depression may be combined with other treatment options such as medication or other forms of therapy.

In this way, it may augment the gains that you attain during therapy, and make it easier for you to deal with upsetting emotions that arise during therapy. If you feel as though going to therapy is too large of a step for you right now, starting out with medication until you are feeling better, and then moving on to see a psychodynamic therapist may be key. Above all else, remember that any type of therapy will involve facing difficult emotions and exploring better ways to cope. While it might feel difficult at the time, you will be creating a better foundation for your future.

Be sure to attend all therapy sessions and put in your best efforts. In the end, nobody can force you to do the work. However, you will make more progress in therapy if you can make it a priority in your life. While depression might make this feel impossible, try doing the bare minimum that your therapist asks of you and being consistent with it. Everything feels more challenging when you're dealing with depression. Get our free guide when you sign up for our newsletter.

Depression and psychodynamic psychotherapy. Braz J Psychiatry. The efficacy of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy for depression: A meta-analysis update. Clin Psychol Rev. Luyten P, Blatt SJ. Psychodynamic treatment of depression. Psychiatr Clin North Am. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellMind.

At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data.

We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up. What are your concerns? A meta-analysis testing equivalence of outcomes. Am J Psychiatry. Ho C, Adcock L.

Published October 12, Is longer-term psychodynamic psychotherapy more effective than shorter-term therapies? Review and critique of the evidence [published correction appears in Psychother Psychosom. Psychother Psychosom. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellMind. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data.

We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. What Is Psychodynamic Therapy? How It Works. Important Characteristics. How Effective Is It? What You Can Expect. A Word From Verywell. What Is Online Therapy? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up. What are your concerns?