Understanding Counselling: Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic Therapy

Ray Pan, MC - Registered Provisional Psychologist

Is there lingering pain from your past affecting your life today? Do you have old defence mechanisms and personal beliefs about the world that are negatively affecting your mental health in the present? These sorts of questions delve into the intricate web of the human psyche.

Unresolved conflicts and experiences from the past can impact our current emotions and behaviours. The mind is a complex structure that can seamlessly integrate lessons learned previously into our present day-to-day experiences. Unfortunately, sometimes those lessons are painful, and how the mind continues to unconsciously protect itself can be unhelpful to you and your loved ones. That’s where psychodynamic therapy comes in. 

Psychodynamic therapy is a form of talk therapy that aims to explore and understand the unconscious mind and its influence on a person's thoughts and behaviours. Facing our pasts can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be hard. Through a psychodynamic approach, we can help you break down and analyze your history of trauma and hurt, then unpack all of the unhealthy ways that your mind is dragging the past into the present. 

The process involves: 

• Exploring thoughts, feelings, and memories, including those that may be hidden in the unconscious mind.
• Uncovering patterns of behaviour, thoughts, and emotions that serve as evidence of past experiences influencing present actions.
• Examining how past relationships, especially with family members, may be shaping current relationship patterns.
• Bringing unconscious thoughts and emotions to the surface.
• Developing insight and self-awareness into core motivations and working towards resolving inner conflicts.
• Personal growth and positive change. 

In essence, psychodynamic therapy is a therapeutic voyage that aims to help individuals gain a deeper understanding of themselves. By untangling the

threads of the past, it empowers individuals to improve their emotional well-being and make positive changes in their lives. It is not merely about

confronting pain but about transforming it into a source of strength and resilience. Through this process, individuals emerge with a renewed sense of

self and a profound capacity for growth and positive change.