What is Psychodynamic Counselling?

Psychodynamic counselling is a type of in-depth counselling that draws on theories and practices of analytical psychology and psychoanalysis. It has a long respected history going back to thinkers like Freud and Jung. We all have a tendency to repeat patterns of behaviour we feel unable to change. Psychodynamic counselling is a therapeutic process that helps clients understand and resolve their problems by increasing awareness of their inner world and its influence on their lives. It is a process of exploration undertaken by the counsellor and client together, in which the client is encouraged to reflect on matters uppermost in his/her mind. In regular 50 minute weekly sessions and within the contained context of the therapeutic relationship, feelings, thoughts, wishes, memories and dreams can be explored and the client can be helped to understand unconscious processes which affect their everyday thinking and behaviour. This understanding allows the possibility of greater freedom of thought and action. In this way, psychodynamic counselling may gradually bring about a greater degree of self-awareness, enabling the individual to find more appropriate ways of being, and of coping with distress. Many people who experience loss of meaning in their lives or who are seeking a greater sense of fulfilment may be helped by psychodynamic counselling.