Psychodynamic Counselling

Some issues that can be helped with psychodynamic counselling:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Relationship problems (personal or work)
• Bereavement and loss
• Low self confidence
• Self harm
• Addiction
• Panic attacks
• Trauma
• Abuse (both physical and emotional)

“It is painful to face the self we have never had the integrity to honour and assert”
Nathanial Branden, Psychotherapist & Author

Psychodynamic counselling places importance on the unconscious and the part that this plays in shaping the client’s current behaviour. The past also forms a very important part of the therapy and the counsellor will encourage the client to talk about their childhood and past experiences with particular emphasis on significant relationships. Through psychodynamic therapy the client gets to the root of the problem and increases their self-awareness and how their past has influenced their present thoughts and behaviours. This insight enables change to occur which opens up the possibility of leading a more fulfilling life. Another central theme in psychodynamic counselling is the relationship between the counsellor and the therapist which is used as a tool in the sessions to highlight the client’s pattern of relating to other people.

This type of therapy is usually open ended, i.e. it is not for a pre-determined time, however it can also be used in a time limited way, for example, a twelve week period. Sessions are held once a week for 50 minutes although the initial assessment may take up to one and a half hours.