Over the years as a counsellor in Havering, I have noticed how people can often be intimidated by the idea of “psychodynamic” therapy. It does seem like quite a clinical, serious word. People can be put off by it. A common misconception is that psychodynamic therapy is the same thing as psychoanalysis - a practice coined by the infamous Sigmund Freud, which focuses on the unconscious and bringing repressed fears to the surface using techniques such as free association and dream interpretation. But this is just not true. Psychodynamic theory is a fundamentally different approach altogether.
In this blog post, we will look at what psychodynamic therapy actually involves.
Psychodynamic Therapy in Havering
Put simply, psychodynamic therapy is about looking at how the past influences the way you think, feel, and behave in the here and now. It is a process that involves self-reflection, self-examination, and, of course, curiosity at all times. Together, in a spirit of collaboration, we will examine your life in a multifaceted way, rather than focusing on any one particular issue.
A key part of this examination is exploring your past, which many people find difficult - and for good reason. When we feel angry, sad, anxious, or confused in response to something that happens in the present moment - a friend ignoring a text message, being stuck in traffic, losing something, etc. - the emotions that come up are actually you feeling the same hurt that you felt as a child once again.
A good example can be seen with people who were adopted as children. When they experience a rejection of some kind in their adult lives, the pain is particularly strong, and that is because they are experiencing the same hurt they felt when separated from their biological parents as babies.
We all have certain triggers, as it were. Psychodynamic therapy is all about understanding what these triggers are, where they originate from, and what role they play in your daily life. Together we will learn how experience shaped your personality, freeing you from your past and giving you important insight into the ‘why’ behind difficult emotions that come up for you. Having this knowledge can help us understand what to do next, and allows us to process difficult experiences that we perhaps weren’t even consciously aware of.
If you are feeling depressed, anxious, or struggle with any other kind of trauma-related problem, I am here to offer personalised psychodynamic counselling in Havering and online. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.