Psychodynamic Therapy | Achieve Concierge

Psychodynamic Therapy in San Diego

Sometimes, the roots of our emotional challenges run deeper than we realize, stretching back to our past experiences or relationships. At Achieve Concierge, we offer psychodynamic therapy to help individuals unravel the narratives shaping their present. If you find yourself stuck in patterns that no longer serve you or wrestling with feelings you can’t fully explain, this approach might be your pathway to a renewed sense of clarity and emotional freedom.

Understanding Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy is a form of talk therapy that explores the link between your past experiences — often from childhood — and your current mindset. It is based on the principles of psychoanalysis and emphasizes understanding the unconscious processes that influence our daily behavior. This approach examines unresolved conflicts and symptoms that stem from past dysfunctional relationships and traumatic experiences. It helps individuals gain more insight into their lives, fostering deep personal growth and long-lasting psychological change.

How Does Psychodynamic Therapy Work?

Psychodynamic therapy involves a close working partnership between therapist and patient. Sessions typically focus on the exploration of your full range of emotions, thoughts and memories, some of which may have been repressed or avoided. Through this exploration, you can develop a greater understanding of your unconscious patterns, leading to increased self-awareness and healthier ways of thinking and behaving.

Some specific treatment goals of psychodynamic therapy include the following:

Exploration of Past Experiences: Understanding how past experiences influence present behavior.
Identification of Recurrent Patterns: Recognizing patterns in thoughts, feelings and behaviors that might be rooted in past experiences.
Focus on Relationships: Examining your interpersonal relationships to understand the role they play in your emotional functioning and mental wellness.
Expression of Emotions: Encouraging the expression and discussion of a broad range of emotions to promote healing and change.

Psychodynamic therapy is often compared to other forms of talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). However, psychodynamic therapy puts more emphasis on discovering how past traumas affect your current mindset, while CBT focuses on helping individuals recognize and change harmful thought patterns. Both types of therapy promote increased self-awareness and help patients gain control of their mental health symptoms.

What Makes Psychodynamic Therapy Different Than Other Therapeutic Modalities?

Psychodynamic differs from other therapeutic techniques by focusing on the exploration of the unconscious mind and early life experiences as the root causes of mental health concerns. Unlike therapies such as CBT, which primarily address symptoms and behaviors through problem-solving and direct interventions, psychodynamic therapy uncovers the underlying motivations and unresolved issues that contribute to present-day challenges.

For example, consider a person with social anxiety who is being treated with CBT but hasn’t had much success in managing their symptoms. While undergoing psychodynamic therapy, they might realize that they have trouble in social situations because their sense of self is highly fragmented, shaped by their past relationships or experiences. Unconsciously, they feel that letting others in means losing a part of themselves, which causes a lot of stress and fear. This insight may lead to effective coping strategies so they can begin to socialize with less anxiety.

Is Psychodynamic Therapy Effective?

It is relatively easy to measure an improvement in specific mental health symptoms, but it is much harder to quantify deeper changes in self-awareness or personality. This makes assessing the effectiveness of psychodynamic therapy challenging. However, research does suggest that it can be a powerful tool for treating a variety of mental health concerns.

A 2017 review in the American Journal of Psychiatry concluded that psychodynamic therapy is as effective as other established treatment modalities.
A journal article published by American Psychologist found that patients who receive psychodynamic therapy maintain positive gains even after treatment has ended.
The American Psychological Association supports the use of psychodynamic therapy and describes it as a highly effective therapeutic technique.

Who Can Benefit from Psychodynamic Therapy?

Psychodynamic therapy is particularly beneficial for individuals who are experiencing psychological distress due to unresolved issues and conflicts. It is effective for numerous mental health conditions, including:

Beyond addressing specific conditions, psychodynamic therapy enriches individuals’ overall quality of life by enhancing self-understanding and emotional processing skills. By promoting a deeper connection with one’s inner self and improving relational dynamics, this therapy can lead to substantial personal growth, increased resilience and enhanced mental wellness.

Psychodynamic Therapy at Achieve Concierge

At Achieve Concierge, our approach to psychodynamic therapy is rooted in a deep understanding of its transformative potential. Our therapists are not only highly trained in psychodynamic techniques but are also skilled in creating a personalized therapeutic experience that aligns with each patient’s unique needs, goals and preferences. Our individualized approach ensures that therapy can help you better manage your mental health symptoms while fostering a profound journey of self-discovery and healing.

With psychodynamic therapy, patients are encouraged to explore the depths of their emotions and experiences. Throughout the treatment process, our therapists provide continuous support to help individuals uncover and address the root causes of their distress. Whether you’re dealing with complex trauma, unresolved family issues or chronic anxiety, our therapy sessions are designed to help you navigate your subconscious mind and bring to light the unconscious patterns that govern your thoughts, behaviors and emotional responses.

Our goal is to empower you with the tools you need for lasting personal growth, so psychodynamic therapy can be easily integrated into your comprehensive treatment plan. It is highly effective on its own or when combined with other therapeutic techniques like CBT, medication management, mindfulness, family therapy and healthy lifestyle changes. We’re committed to providing each patient with the opportunity to achieve improved mental wellness, helping them to live more insightful, balanced and fulfilling lives.

Schedule a Consultation at Achieve Concierge Today

If you’re ready to uncover the deeper causes of your emotional challenges and improve your mental wellness, we can help. At Achieve Concierge, our team of experts is dedicated to helping you find lasting stability and balance with evidence-based modalities such as psychodynamic therapy. To learn more about our treatment options, get in touch by calling us today at 858-221-0344 or completing our online contact form.