Psychodynamic Approach

Psychodynamic Theory
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is derived from psychoanalysis and is based on a number of key analytical concepts. These include Freud's ideas about psychosexual development, defence mechanisms, free association as the method of recall, and the therapeutic techniques of interpretation, including that of transference, defences and dreams. Such therapy usually involves once-weekly 50-minute sessions, the length of treatment varying between 3 months and 2 years. The long-term aim of such therapy is twofold: symptom relief and personality change.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is classically indicated in the treatment of unresolved conflicts in early life, as might be found in non-psychotic and personality disorders, but to date there is a lack of convincing evidence concerning its superiority over other forms of treatment.
Psychodynamic Theory is based on the premise that human behavior and relationships are shaped by conscious and unconscious influences.
Psychodynamic therapies, which are sometimes used to treat depressed persons, focus on resolving the patient's conflicted feelings. These therapies are often reserved until the depressive symptoms are significantly improved.
Psychodynamic counselling places more emphasis on the influence of past experience on the development of current behaviour, mediated in part through unconscious processes. It is influenced by object relations theory, that is, by the idea that previous relationships leave lasting traces which affect self-esteem and may result in maladaptive patterns of behaviour.
In psychodynamic therapy, the patient (as opposed to the client in other types of therapy) talks, and the therapist makes interpretations about the patient's words and behaviors.  Dream interpretation may be a part of psychodynamic therapy. As with other types of therapy, some psychodynamic therapists may utilize other methods of therapy such as cognitive-behavioral techniques for specific problems.
Key Concepts of...