What is psychodynamic psychotherapy?

Simply put, psychodynamic psychotherapy focuses on the unconscious. When we are better able to understand our unconscious motives for engaging in negative relationships or behaviors, we can live more fully in the present rather than the past. One way we can do this is by exploring our histories and experiences in relationship with another person. In psychodynamic psychotherapy, the therapeutic relationship is a source of data that can help us better understand relationship dynamics, patterns of communication, and the defense mechanisms we rely on most. As a psychodynamic therapist, my purpose is to help you identify and disentangle the inner conflicts that are impeding you from reaching your goals, whether personal or professional. Psychodynamic psychotherapy aims to achieve more than just symptom reduction; the goal is to develop greater self-understanding and reflective capacity that will enable lasting change.