When we feel bad, we usually go to a health professional so we can treat our conditions. Psychology, like other professions, has specific psychotherapeutic methods. This does not mean that one is better than the other, 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 against the 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.
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, a detailed review of the person’s history. However, both types of therapies can be clearly differentiated.
What does psychodynamic therapy treat? Specifically, this clinical approach is a therapeutic current 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 involved in the construction of psychodynamic therapy:
- Classical psychoanalysis: approach created by Sigmund Freud with the aim of understanding the unconscious processes of human beings. To achieve this, he created a space shared by a patient and an analyst in which the consultant talks about his personal conflicts. To locate their origin, it is necessary to go through traumatic scenes that give rise to the symptoms that the person experiences. In this article you will find more information about .
- Psychoanalytic psychotherapies: to Unlike classic psychoanalysis that can last a long time, there are shorter psychoanalytic therapies that attempt to resolve symptoms without the need for such a long duration. Exponents such as Rank and Ferenczi have made interesting contributions that were taken up by psychodynamic therapy.
- Ego Psychology: 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 terms, the objectives of psychodynamic therapy are adapted to the needs of each patient. However, it is possible to establish some basic principles that this branch of psychology proposes. Next, we will explain what psychodynamic therapy is for:
- Promotes the person’s mental health: This is carried out through the recognition of unconscious aspects that allow us to give a different meaning to traumatic experiences.
- Provides solutions to current problems: tAs we have mentioned previously, psychodynamic therapy does not remain in the past. Instead, try to establish an appropriate solution in a short period of time.
Psychodynamic therapy techniques
If you are wondering how psychodynamic therapy works, you should know that this theoretical approach adopts specific 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 effectiveness has been demonstrated. In the following items, we will expose 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 his thoughts even though it may seem to him that it has no importance or meaning.
- Dream analysis: Unconscious formations are the main route of access to 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 it in this article.
- Interpretation of the transfer: transference can be understood as the link established between the patient and the therapist. This type of relationship brings into play the emotions, thoughts and behaviors of the patient’s life. By analyzing and interpreting 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 of defending themselves from situations that are unpleasant to them. However, this can cause many problems with the environment. Through the recognition of defense mechanisms, the patient learns to be aware of the unfavorable impact of his or her defense mechanisms.
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 resolution of phobias, anxiety disorders and compulsions.
Furthermore, the development and strengthening of favorable aspects of the personality allows people to have more enjoyable relationships with the social, work, academic and emotional environment. On the other hand, the exploration of unconscious processes has led to a greater degree of self-reflection and freedom, since it is allowed to speak freely about what one feels. In this article we tell you more about.
This article is merely informative, at 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.
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Bibliography
- Amaro, F., Guasch, L., Sarlé, M. (2008). Intensive individual psychodynamic psychotherapy: The therapeutic relationship and interpretation techniques. Autonomous University of Barcelona. Official College of Psychologists of Catalonia.
- Echávarri, O., Krause, M., Tomicic, A., Pérez, C., Dagnino, P., De La Parra, G., Valdéz, N., Altimir, C., Vilches, O., Strasser, K. ., Ramírez, I., Reyes, L. (2009). Four successful brief psychodynamic therapies studied through generic indicators of change. Argentine Journal of Psychological Clinic, 18 (1).