Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Why is it so hard to change?

Most people have things about themselves or their relationships that they would like to change. They may understand a pattern quite well, know where it comes from, and even recognize it while it is happening, yet still find themselves repeating it.

We may find ourselves drawn into the same kinds of relationships, becoming anxious in familiar situations, or reacting in ways we don't fully understand. Knowing that we do something, and even knowing why, does not necessarily make it easier to change.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy offers a place to understand these experiences more deeply. Together, we pay attention to what happens in your relationships, your emotional life, and even between us in therapy. Over time, ways of thinking, feeling, and relating that have been difficult to see can become more understandable and more open to change.

What Is It Like To Be In Psychodynamic Psychotherapy?

Psychodynamic psychotherapy is a conversation, but it is different from most conversations in everyday life. You are encouraged to speak as openly as you can about whatever is on your mind, including thoughts or feelings that may seem uncomfortable, contradictory, unimportant, or difficult to put into words.

My role is not simply to listen quietly or to give advice. I listen carefully, ask questions, and think with you about what you are experiencing. At times I may notice connections or patterns that are difficult to see from inside them. At other times, what becomes important is something happening in the therapy itself, including how you experience me and our work together.

There is no particular way you are supposed to talk or anything you need to prepare before a session. The work develops through an ongoing conversation and a relationship in which there is room to become curious about parts of yourself that may have been difficult to understand on your own.

Is Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Right For Me?

Psychodynamic psychotherapy may be especially helpful if you are interested not only in feeling better, but also in understanding yourself more fully. Some people come to therapy because of depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, grief, or a difficult period in their lives. Others are functioning well in many areas but feel stuck, dissatisfied, or aware that they keep encountering the same difficulties in different forms.

This kind of therapy tends to work best for people who are curious about themselves and willing to look closely at their emotional lives, even when what emerges is complicated or uncomfortable. You do not need to arrive with a clear explanation of what is wrong. Often, developing a better understanding of the problem is itself an important part of the work.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy can take place once or more than once a week. For some people, meeting more frequently allows the work to develop greater depth and continuity. We can talk together about what you are looking for and what approach might be most helpful.

Getting Started

The best way to begin is with an initial consultation. This gives us a chance to talk about what brings you to therapy, what you are hoping for, and whether working together seems like a good fit.