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 more healthily live in the present rather than the past. The best way to do this is by exploring our histories and experiences in relationship to another person. In psychodynamic psychotherapy, the therapeutic relationship is a source of data for us to better understand relationship dynamics, methods of communication, and our most relied upon defense mechanisms. 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 they be personal or professional. Psychodynamic psychotherapy aims to achieve more than just symptom reduction; the goal is to provide you with self-understanding and an increased reflective capacity that will enable lasting change.