If you are dealing with depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues, you may wonder where to turn to.
One method that may help you is psychodynamic therapy.
What is it?
Psychodynamic therapy involves awareness of one’s self. There are many instances where a person could afford to be more aware of themselves and the actions that surround them, and psychodynamics may be just what you need in order to do so.
This form of therapy has existed for quite some time, first taking root in the 1800s. Since then, it’s been expanded on, but mostly has the same roots.
What Can it Help Me With?
Psychodynamics may help with depression and anxiety due to the fact that it makes you more aware of your emotions and your behaviors. Besides that, it’s effective for relationship issues, be it friendships or romance. It’s also effective for helping you find your purpose. It’s seen some effectiveness with addiction treatment as well.
How it Operates
Psychodynamic therapy operates on the notion that we are creatures that can live on autopilot. Sometimes, we don’t take any time to look at ourselves and what’s going on in our heads. The goal of psychodynamics is to help you understand what you’re facing, and admit that you have faults.
This can require you to be honest and acknowledge what you’re facing. For some, this is easy enough to do. However, there are some who do not know how to do this. They may find themselves trying to dodge responsibility, and this can be a bit troublesome.
In order to do so, it’s important to look at the principles of psychodynamics. These are:
- The way we behave is rooted in the unconscious mind. This part of your brain influences your feelings and behaviots, and it’s essential to acknowledge them.
- Psychodynamics does look at the id, ego, and superego, which are all theories developed by Freud. The id represents desires, typically negative. The superego wants to strive for perfection. The ego is the mediator between these two.
- How your childhood was can shape you as an adult.
- Freudian slips are also looked at in psychodynamics. This is when you say something and say something else instead. In theory, this is a look into the unconscious mind.
What Happens in a Psychodynamic Therapy Session?
While therapists can differ, most share the common ground of allowing you to speak what’s on your mind. Remember, you are talking to a therapist, so you do not need to hold yourself back.
When you talk, feel free to discuss your fears and dreams. Discuss your desires as well. Want to talk about current events? Feel free for you to do so.
You don’t need to have a laundry list of things to discuss, but it’s essential to remember that when you see a therapist, nothing is forbidden. Instead, you want to make sure you have nothing held back.
Psychodynamic therapy may help you peer into your unconscious beliefs and desires. This, in turn, can help you to seek improvement in different areas of your life.
Effectiveness
Psychodynamic therapy is an older form of therapy. As such, you may wonder if it has beliefs that are outdated by today’s scientific standards. Luckily, this form of therapy has evolved with time. It seems to have evidence to prove that it’s effective for treating many different conditions.
One reason for this is because being open about your feelings and being more mindful of your behaviors can help you control yourself. Another reason is because you may have a lot on your mind, and expressing it in a safe place can be beneficial.
Finding a Therapist Near You
There are many therapists who offer psychodynamic therapy, or at least a variant of. If you do your research, you are likely to find some resources in your area.
Another way you can get the help you need is if you turn to BetterHelp. This is a website that allows you to get therapy on your own schedule. In today’s times, that is a convenience that many cannot pass up. For more information, visit them and see what type of therapy they can offer you.
Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com.
With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.