Understanding How Psychodynamic Counselling Works

Psychodynamic counselling: what to expect in sessions

Psychodynamic counselling is a form of therapy that helps you understand the deeper, often unconscious motivations behind your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It’s about exploring your past to make sense of your present. It is a flexible approach and can be used to explore a wide range of issues and life challenges such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, panic attacks, low self-esteem, and other symptoms of distress.

What to Expect in Sessions

Free Association:
In sessions, you’ll be encouraged to speak freely about whatever comes to mind. This might feel strange at first, but it helps uncover patterns and themes in your thoughts and emotions.
Exploring the Past:
We’ll look at your childhood experiences and significant life events. This can bring up a range of emotions, from sadness and anger to relief and understanding.
Understanding Relationships:
A lot of our focus will be on your relationships—past and present. How you interact with others can provide insights into your inner world.

The Emotional Journey

Building Trust:
Initially, you might feel a bit vulnerable or uncertain as we build a therapeutic relationship. This trust is crucial for deep, meaningful work.
Experiencing and Expressing Emotions:
You might experience a wide range of emotions. It’s common to feel raw or exposed as we dig into sensitive areas. However, this emotional exploration can lead to profound insights and healing.
Facing Unconscious Material:
Sometimes, you’ll become aware of feelings or thoughts you didn’t realise you had. This can be surprising or even unsettling, but it’s a vital part of understanding yourself better.
Gradual Change:
As you gain insights, you might notice shifts in how you feel about yourself and how you relate to others. This process takes time and patience.

The Therapeutic Relationship

Safe Space:
My role is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space for you to explore your inner world. Think of it as a collaborative journey where we make sense of your experiences together.
Interpreting Patterns:
I’ll help interpret patterns and themes in your thoughts and behaviours. This might involve gently pointing out connections between your current struggles and past experiences.
Empathy and Understanding:
Throughout our sessions, my aim is to understand your experiences from your perspective, providing empathy and support as you work through challenging emotions.

Psychodynamic counselling can feel like a deep, sometimes intense exploration of your inner life. It’s about understanding the hidden parts of yourself to bring about meaningful change. While it can be challenging at times, many find it deeply rewarding and transformative. If you feel that this approach could be helpful, you can contact me for an initial discussion about your circumstances.