Psychodynamic Therapy:
When the Quick Fixes
Have not Worked
Psychodynamic therapy is ideal for clients who:
Are bright, naturally curious, seek joy and contentment and are searching for meaning and purpose in their life
And who may:
Struggle with feelings like sadness, fear, anxiety, worry, anger, or intrusive thoughts
Experience grief, loss, and intense disappointment
Have challenges in relationships with family, friends or colleagues
Need to process traumatic experiences
Feel stuck
If you have already tried other more short term approaches and discovered that quick fixes don't work, and you want lasting change, then psychodynamic therapy is the right option for you.
What is Psychodynamic therapy?
Psychodynamic therapy, also called insight oriented therapy, is a process that helps you uncover the roots of your feelings and behaviors, equipping you with insights that enable you to move forward to embrace the life you want to live and reclaim your peace.
In the context of a confidential therapeutic safe relationship you:
Explore your past experiences and relationships,
Identify patterns that might be holding you back,
Develop self-compassion
Enhance your capacity to sustain meaningful relationships.
Become equipped to make the changes you want in your life
In therapy there is no pressure to be brave, accomplished and professional. It's a space where you can honestly explore the full range of your emotional experience, worries, fears and aspirations.
You develop an understanding on why you get triggered by certain people and events, as well as insights into why you keep engaging in dysfunctional behaviors. You may have wondered why certain relationships with family, friends or colleagues might make you feel "crazy". You will also learn what it is that makes you passionate about your life work. Or, if you have been in a season where that passion has evaporated, therapy can help you sort out why and what's next.
"I want to focus on the present and future, not the past.
Why is it necessary to examine the past?"
Very often the issues we experience today have their beginnings in childhood and stem from relationships with our families. The patterns we develop early in life continue to live on in our current relationships at home and at work. Because the past often has painful elements we become masterful at pushing this down, but these experiences continue to impact our day to day life. Psychodynamic therapy provides a safe way to examine these experiences so that you can experience the freedom to make healthier choices.
How is Psychodynamic Therapy different from Short Term Approaches?
Short term approaches like Cognitive Behavior Therapy, (CBT). Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) Solution Focused Therapy and other short term therapy approaches focus on immediate concerns and for a high performing professional this might seem like a good choice. You want quick results.
Short term approaches help you change the way your cognitions/thought patterns about situations and relationships and can alleviate symptoms in the short term. The key being "short term." Psychodynamic therapy sets you on course for long term lasting change.
What kind of therapy is best for me?
The research on treatment outcomes is clear, short term therapies are most ideal for acute, circumscribed symptoms. For complex long standing issues, longer term psychodynamic therapy is significantly more effective.
Why is this? Psychodynamic approaches tackle the underlying issues which go far deeper than our thought processes. In psychodynamic therapy you gain an understanding of how your past experiences continue to shape your thoughts, behaviors and relationships. This provides you with powerful insights that can inform your choices and behaviors today.
Consider the image of an iceberg: short term quick approaches will help you chip away at what is sticking above the surface, while psychodynamic therapy will help you understand what is below the surface.
Why are Short Term Therapies so Popular?
Insurance companies favor them because they are less expensive than long term therapy.
We have been socialized to seek short term quick fixes
It requires courage to examine the past and realize how much it is impacting our present.
Long term psychodynamic therapy is not easy, often there are painful issues to examine and it's easier to avoid.
What is the process for getting started in psychodynamic therapy?
Finding a therapist that you feel a good connection with is vital. That match depends on many factors including demographics, personality and experience of the therapist. If you reach out to me and it turns out we aren't a good fit, I will provide you with referrals to other therapists who might meet your needs better.
Feeling a bit nervous when you start therapy is normal, especially if it's your first time. And especially if you are the one everyone turns to for solving their problems.
In my work with clients we start slowly, establishing a safe trusting space. During the first few sessions we will explore the issues you want to address.
Psychodynamic Therapy is most effective when sessions are scheduled on a weekly basis, however, we will schedule sessions based on what works for you.
The duration of therapy depends on your presenting concerns and the pace that is comfortable for you. A typical course of therapy is six months to one year while some of my clients find it helpful to continue even longer.
What frequency and duration of therapy is best?
Typical Outcomes of Psychodynamic Therapy:
You gain insights into what has been causing your distress and a reduction in your symptoms. You will develop strategies on how to approach new challenges that emerge in your life and the capacity for more meaningful loving relationships with others.
Initial complimentary consultation to answer any questions you may have
50 minute virtual sessions that work for your schedule
Services are provided online to you in the comfort of your home or office, through a secure HIPAA compliant server.
I am licensed in New Jersey and New York and am authorized to provide services across 43 additional states in the US.