Psychodynamic Therapy: Exploring the Roots of Emotional Well-Being

Psychodynamic therapy is one of the oldest and most respected forms of talk therapy. Rooted in psychoanalytic principles, it focuses on exploring the unconscious mind and how unresolved conflicts from the past may shape our present behaviors and emotions. This approach helps people gain deep insights into their emotions, patterns, and relationships, often leading to meaningful and lasting changes.

In a world where mental health treatments are increasingly solution-focused and brief, psychodynamic therapy stands out for its emphasis on uncovering the underlying causes of emotional struggles rather than just addressing the symptoms. This process-oriented approach has made it a go-to option for people seeking to understand themselves on a deeper level.

What Is Psychodynamic Therapy?

At its core, psychodynamic therapy is a form of talk therapy that explores unconscious thoughts, emotions, and memories to uncover their influence on current behavior. The approach builds on Sigmund Freud’s psychodynamic theories,¹ which “focus on the psychological drives and forces within individuals that explain human behavior and personality.” Psychodynamic therapy practice has evolved over time to include modern understandings of psychology and human development.

Key Concepts of Psychodynamic Therapy

Unconscious Thoughts

Much of our emotional life is informed by deeply held thoughts that happen outside of our awareness. Psychodynamic therapy aims to bring unconscious feelings and patterns to the surface,¹ where you can unpack and examine them with the help of your therapist.

Childhood Experiences

Early life experiences play a major role in shaping our emotions² and behaviors. We as humans are constantly being shaped by our relationship to the people around us. This is especially true in early childhood, when we form our beliefs about ourselves and others. By revisiting these formative moments, therapy helps uncover unresolved issues that still affect us today. Clinical psychologist Warren Tryon, Ph.D. explains that in psychoanalytic therapy, 

The aim is to bring the unresolved issues, developed during childhood, or repressed trauma buried within the unconscious¹ to the conscious mind in order for the client to begin to address these unresolved and underlying problems.

Learn more about how childhood experiences can affect your adult life in our article on healing from childhood trauma.

Emotional Insight

Psychodynamic theory “sees human functioning³ based upon the interaction of drives and forces within the person, particularly the unconscious, and between the different structures of the personality,” says psychology professor Dr. Saul McLeod. This process encourages self-reflection and emotional awareness, helping people recognize and address deep-rooted conflicts. 

How Does Psychodynamic Therapy Work?

Psychodynamic therapy aims to uncover the roots of emotional suffering⁴ through guided self-reflection. It’s based on the principle that our unconscious mind holds the key to understanding emotional stress. A psychodynamic therapist guides you toward self-awareness and emotional healing by accessing hidden feelings and motivations. The goal isn’t just to relieve psychological symptoms, but to help you develop a deeper understanding of your inner emotional world that allows you lead a happier, healthier life.  

The Role of the Unconscious Mind

We can think of the unconscious mind as a storage room for thoughts, memories, and feelings that are too painful or uncomfortable for us to face directly. These hidden emotions “are in a vast reservoir of often repressed or forgotten material that continues to influence behaviors and emotions,⁵ even if people are unaware of its influence,” says licensed clinical social worker Caitlin Opland. Because they exist below our level of awareness, they often manifest in our behaviors, relationships, and even physical health. Unresolved feelings of abandonment from childhood, for example, might lead to anxiety in adult relationships. 

A therapist can help you uncover these hidden conflicts through open conversations, allowing you to process and resolve them. Many people find this process helps them understand how past experiences continue to shape their lives.

What Happens in a Session

Psychodynamic therapy sessions are often primarily guided by the patient, and might seem very different to other therapies you may have experienced. The NHS describes what you can expect: 

Psychodynamic psychotherapy sessions may seem to have no special structure.⁶ Your therapist will not suggest an agenda or theme to talk about in sessions and will not be giving you advice or instructions about how to manage your symptoms or difficulties. You will be encouraged to talk about whatever comes into your mind, even if it might not obviously seem to be related to your problems…You may find that the therapist says less than you would expect in conversations in ordinary life, and there may be periods of silence in sessions.

In this open format, the therapist mainly acts as a facilitator. As you express what feels important to you, you’ll be encouraged to explore certain topics more deeply and explore what they might mean. As you progress, your therapist may not even say anything at the start of the session, instead letting you open the session with whatever’s most pressing on your mind. 

Interestingly, psychodynamic therapy sometimes uses your relationship with the therapist as a lens for understanding your relationship with others. “You may be encouraged to think about strong feelings, positive or negative, that you might experience towards the therapist,” says the NHS. In these cases, it’s helpful to remember that your therapist isn’t there to judge you or your feelings toward them, but to help you better understand yourself in relationships.

Techniques Your Therapist Might Use

Psychodynamic therapy uses a variety of techniques to help you explore your unconscious mind.

Free Association

Your therapist will encourage you to speak freely about whatever comes to mind, without filtering or censoring your thoughts. This psychology is designed to reveal hidden emotions and patterns. It can also work to improve your emotional regulation⁵ as you get used to openly expressing your feelings. 

Dream Analysis

Dreams can provide clues to the subconscious. Because “they are the mind’s way of resolving repressed desires or conflicts that are too difficult to handle in our conscious state,” says Opland, “analyzing dreams can reveal hidden desires, fears, and conflicts.”⁵ If your therapist uses this technique, they may open up discussions about the symbolism and emotions found in dreams to help you better understand their inner world.

Exploring Past Relationships

Examining early relationships with your caregivers and significant others sheds light on patterns that may be recurring in the present. Psychodynamic therapists dive into these past dynamics to help you understand your behaviors in relationships. If you weren’t adequately cared for as a child, for example, you may struggle with trust or fear abandonment as an adult. Through therapy, you can uncover these connections and begin breaking away from unhealthy cycles. This often entails identifying triggers, understanding your emotional reactions, and practicing new ways of responding.