Personality is the main factor that makes your uniqueness individual to you. Although some of us may have similar personalities, they are individually cultivated by our experiences and upbringing. In therapy, understanding your personality and behaviour can be done by looking at the psychological perspective that emphasizes the role of unconscious processes and childhood experiences.

What is the Psychodynamic Approach?

The Psychodynamic perspective aims to explore these deep layers involved in any hidden conflicts and patterns that may be contributing to your current challenges. Therapists use the psychodynamic approach to help connect the dots of your past with your present, giving us insight and understanding of the roots to your challenges and how to address them effectively. Just as each of us has a unique personality, we also face common struggles that are entirely individual and personal to us.

Key principles of the psychodynamic approach in therapy include:

Unconscious Processes

A significant part of our mental activity involves the activity that we are not aware of which fuels our thoughts and desires. These unconscious elements can influence our emotions, behaviours, and interpersonal relationships.

Childhood Experiences

Our origins are rooted in our early childhood experiences, especially relating to our connection and relationship with our caregivers. Understanding these interactions can help explain how our personality was developed and its impact on our emotional patterns as we experience them now. 

Conflict and Defense Mechanisms

Part of the hidden conflicts are uncovered by the unresolved conflicts between different parts of our psyche (ID, Ego. Supergo). 

Our defense mechanisms are strategies that the ego activities to manage and protect us from this distress. Some defense mechanisms include: 

• Repression

• Projection

• Denial 

• Rationalization 
  

Therapeutic Alliance 

The therapeutic relationship is an essential element within this approach. In order to explore and gain insight into our unconscious processes and unresolved conflicts, the therapist must first  provide a safe and supportive environment. 

Interventions

Some techniques within this approach include:

• Free association

• Dream analysis 

• Interpretation of resistance and transference 
  

Goals 

The goal of this therapy is to bring unconscious material into conscious awareness to facilitate lasting change and resolution through self-realization and awareness. Through exploration and interpretation, a person can gain insight into how their past experience and unconscious motivations influence their current thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. As uncovering unconscious processes and resolving deep-seated and long-standing conflicts can take time, this therapy is often a long-term approach. 

If you would like to learn more about the psychodynamic approach in the therapeutic process, please do not hesitate to contact us for more information!