What is Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Theoretical & Historical Context
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is based on psychoanalytic theory, developed by Freud, Klein, Winnicott, Bion and others.
The key principles include:
Unconscious processes
People are often influenced by thoughts and feelings that they’re not fully aware of.Past influences the present
Early life experiences, particularly with caregivers, can affect adult relationships and emotional patterns.Repetition of patterns
People may unknowingly repeat familiar, but unhealthy relationship patterns.Defense mechanisms
The mind uses strategies (e.g. denial or avoidance) to protect against emotional pain.The therapeutic relationship matters
Feelings toward the therapist can reflect important relationship dynamics and are often explored in therapy.
How Psychodynamic Therapy Can Help
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is particularly effective for those seeking meaningful and lasting change. By gaining deeper insight into internal processes & patterns, you can:
Soften the impact of recurring emotional difficulties, by better understanding their roots.
Increase your self-awareness and emotional insight.
Improve your relationships & emotional regulation.
Session Duration & Frequency
Sessions are 50 minutes long and take place on an ongoing weekly or twice-weekly basis, depending on your needs.
The consistency and depth of regular sessions allows for the gradual exploration of underlying emotional conflicts, fostering a therapeutic process that can lead to profound and enduring transformation.
What is Counselling?
What is Counselling?
Counselling is a time-limited, focused, form of talking therapy, typically lasting between 12 and 18 sessions. It is often helpful during periods of crisis or transition - after a loss, a relationship breakdown, or during a time of decision-making or stress.
In counselling, we aim to explore a specific issue or difficulty, using the same reflective and emotionally attuned stance as in psychotherapy, but with less intensity and a smaller scope.
While the scope is narrower, the approach still values insight and emotional awareness, offering you the chance to think through a particular experience with care and depth. For some, this brief period of focused work is enough; for others, it can open the door to ongoing psychotherapy in the future.
Which is Right for You?
This is something we can think about together during an initial consultation. Some people come with a clear, time-limited issue; others may realise they want to work at greater intensity. The duration, depth and frequency of therapy can be shaped around your needs.