Psychodynamic therapy: what it is, what it is for, techniques and benefits

  • Aug 23, 2022
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Psychodynamic therapy: what it is, what it is for, techniques and benefits

When we feel bad, we usually go to a health professional so that we can treat our ailments. Psychology, like other professions, has specific psychotherapeutic methods. This does not mean that one is better than another, but rather that the focus is on addressing problems from different perspectives.

It is interesting to know the bases of the different psychotherapeutic approaches that currently exist and their modes of intervention in the face of obstacles that arise in life. In the case of psychodynamic therapy, it focuses on treating different sources of conflict at the same time. In this Psychology-Online article, we will tell you everything you need about psychodynamic therapy: what it is, what it is for, techniques and benefits.

You may also like: Cognitive-behavioral therapy: what it is and what techniques it uses

Index

  1. What is psychodynamic therapy
  2. Theoretical currents of psychodynamic therapy
  3. What is psychodynamic therapy for?
  4. psychodynamic therapy techniques
  5. Benefits of psychodynamic therapy

What is psychodynamic therapy.

Psychodynamic therapy is a type of approach that takes theoretical postulates of psychoanalysis as a therapeutic method, such as, for example, the detailed review of the person's history. However, both types of therapies can be clearly distinguished.

What does psychodynamic therapy treat? Specifically, this clinical approach is a therapeutic trend based on conflict resolution which emphasizes solving different problem areas at the same time. This aspect gives it the character of being dynamic, since it also tries to shorten the duration of the treatment.

Theoretical currents of psychodynamic therapy.

Psychodynamic therapy comes from other theoretical branches. In this section we will mention the main theoretical currents that intervene in the construction of psychodynamic therapy:

  • classical psychoanalysis: approach created by Sigmund Freud with the aim of understanding the unconscious processes of the human being. To achieve this, she created a space shared by a patient and an analyst in which the consultant talks about her personal conflicts. To locate the origin of them, it is necessary to go through traumatic scenes that give rise to the symptoms experienced by the person. In this article you will find more information about what is psychoanalysis.
  • psychoanalytic psychotherapies: a Unlike classical psychoanalysis that can last a long time, there are shorter psychoanalytic therapies that try to resolve symptoms without the need for such a long duration. Exponents such as Rank and Ferenczi have made interesting contributions that have been taken over by psychodynamic therapy.
  • psychology of the self: this theoretical framework focuses on the way a person relates to others and/or objects in reality. For this reason, greater importance is given to the person's present than to his or her past experiences.

What is psychodynamic therapy for?

In general, the objectives of psychodynamic therapy are adapted to the needs of each patient. However, it is possible to place some basic principles raised by this branch of psychology. Next, we will explain what psychodynamic therapy is for:

  1. Promotes the mental health of the person: this is carried out through the recognition of unconscious aspects that allow giving a different meaning to traumatic experiences.
  2. Provide solutions to current problems: youAs we have mentioned before, psychodynamic therapy is not left in the past. On the contrary, it tries to establish a suitable solution in a short period of time.
Psychodynamic therapy: what it is, what it is for, techniques and benefits - What is psychodynamic therapy for

Techniques of psychodynamic therapy.

If you are wondering how psychodynamic therapy works, you should know that this theoretical approach adopts concrete techniques that are implemented in the development of a treatment. It should be noted that they are taken from other theoretical currents in which good efficacy has been demonstrated. In the following items, we will present the main techniques of psychodynamic therapy:

  • free association: this technique is taken from classical psychoanalysis. Basically, it consists of the patient talking about any topic that appears in her thoughts despite the fact that it may seem to her that it has no importance or sense.
  • dream analysis: the formations of the unconscious are the main access route to the traumatic contents. In this sense, one of the ways to obtain important data is to analyze the patient's dreams. By understanding them, it is possible to access deeper aspects of the personality. Find out more about the meaning of dreams with interpretation in this article.
  • Interpretation of the transfer: the transference can be understood as the link that is established between the patient and the therapist. This type of relationship brings into play the emotions, thoughts and behaviors of the patient's life. Through the analysis and interpretation of the transference, it is possible to obtain information about how the person relates in other areas.
  • Identification of defense mechanisms: Many times, people adopt ways to defend themselves from situations that are unpleasant for them. However, this can cause many problems with the environment. Through recognition of defense mechanisms, the patient learns to be aware of the unfavorable impact of her defense mechanism.

Benefits of psychodynamic therapy.

Now that you know the steps of psychodynamic therapy, it is also necessary to highlight in which clinical settings it is used. Although it is still a field that continues to be explored, it has been seen that, on the one hand, psychodynamic therapy has favored the resolution of phobias, anxiety disorders and compulsions.

Moreover, the development and strengthening of favorable aspects of the personality allows people to have more enjoyable relationships with the social, work, academic and affective environment. On the other hand, the exploration of unconscious processes has given rise to a greater degree of self-reflection and freedom, since it allows one to speak freely about what one feels. In this article we tell you more about how to maintain good interpersonal relationships.

Psychodynamic therapy: what it is, what it is for, techniques and benefits - Benefits of psychodynamic therapy

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Psychodynamic therapy: what it is, what it is for, techniques and benefits, we recommend that you enter our category of Clinical psychology.

Bibliography

  • Amaro, F., Guasch, L., Sarlé, M. (2008). Intensive psychodynamic individual psychotherapy: The therapeutic relationship and interpretation techniques. Autonomous University of Barcelona. Official College of Psychologists of Catalonia.
  • O. Echávarri, M. Krause, A. Tomicic, C. Pérez, P. Dagnino, G. De La Parra, N. Valdéz, C. Altimir, O. Vilches, K. Strasser., Ramírez, I., Reyes, L. (2009). Four successful brief psychodynamic therapies studied through the generic indicators of change. Argentine Journal of Psychological Clinic, 18 (1).

Psychodynamic therapy: what it is, what it is for, techniques and benefits

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