Have you ever felt unsatisfied with your life or feel like something is missing? Perhaps you fall into certain routines that leave you feeling unfulfilled or wanting more out of life. Maybe you’ve tried taking steps towards addressing these issues but haven’t gotten far.
Fortunately, several types of therapies exist to help you achieve a more fulfilling life.
Psychodynamic Therapy is one of them. But what is psychodynamics? We’re glad you asked!
Basics of Psychodynamics
Psychodynamics focuses on interpersonal relationships, unlike cognitive-behavior therapy, which focuses on behavior and thoughts. Psychodynamic psychology aims to help patients uncover their interpersonal issues and promote change that lasts.
Psychodynamics believes that we’re all social creatures, and our interactions with one affect our personalities and views of the world.
Psychodynamics also believes that our ultimate goal is to better ourselves and strive to be the best versions of ourselves. However, in trying to better ourselves, we may face something called an ‘inferiority complex.’
The gist of inferiority complex is basically those aspects of ourselves we feel we’re lacking or not the greatest. When we take inventory of what we perceive to be our ‘weaknesses,’ we develop behaviors and thought processes to strengthen these ‘weaknesses.’ The essence of psychodynamics is to help us in our pursuit to become our ideal selves.
How Psychodynamics Works
Psychodynamic therapists have less structured conversations that follow whichever direction the patient wishes to go. This allows patients to speak freely, allowing them to choose what they want to talk about.
During the conversation, therapists focus on patterns that the patient may not be aware of and try to bring them to the light. Sometimes, we can’t see the patterns of behavior we enact. It’s the therapists’ job to help us be more aware of these issues and better understand their true intention.
Psychodynamic therapy focuses on a patient’s emotional awareness. Therapists guide patients to identify patterns and emotional blind spots by asking questions along the way to highlight recurring patterns.
Psychodynamics has helped many people work through their issues and guide them towards a fulfilling life. Here are a few possible benefits of psychodynamics.
Self-Awareness
Psychodynamics encourages self-exploration in a safe, non-judgmental environment.
For example, say you talk to your therapist about your relationship issues. You may acknowledge that your partner does things that really irritate you. However, when it comes time to talk about them, you immediately talk about your own setbacks.
A therapist may focus on this aversion to criticizing your partner and may ask if you’re aware that you’re doing this. By focusing on this aversion, a patient can delve deeper into this pattern and find the deeper meaning behind it.
Having a more nuanced and holistic self-awareness gives patients more say and control of their decisions and, ultimately, their lives.
Better Interpersonal Relationships
Sometimes, we depend on others to help fill the voids we have in ourselves. This can lead to relationships that don’t last long or seem to never go anywhere beyond the surface.
Psychodynamics can help patients understand themselves more deeply, so there’s no need to rely on others to ‘complete’ them. This can lead to more genuine, reciprocal relationships.
By gaining a better understanding of ourselves, we can communicate our wants and needs more effectively. It also means we are more aware of toxic relationships and are better equipped to rid them from our lives.
Long-Term Growth
Psychodynamics aims to help patients focus on their emotions and their source to promote more positive and healthier changes in the long run.
Psychodynamic psychology allows patients to take ownership of their growth and build strategies that will carry on after the sessions finish. By giving them the tools to know themselves, psychodynamics empowers patients to take control of their destinies.
Challenges will always come into our lives. Psychodynamics helps patients to face these challenges head-on.
Final Thoughts
If you feel you could benefit from psychodynamic therapy, reach out to a licensed therapist today.
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