Psychodynamic Therapy
What is Psychodynamic Therapy?
Psychodynamic Therapy is an insight-oriented, evidence-based approach that helps you uncover unconscious patterns and unresolved experiences that may be influencing your current struggles.
By exploring your past relationships, early experiences, and inner conflicts, psychodynamic therapy supports you in making sense of your emotions and behaviours — leading to greater self-awareness and lasting change.
How Can Psychodynamic Therapy Help You?
APsychodynamic therapy is effective for:
- Anxiety and depression
- Relationship challenges and attachment issues
- Low self-esteem and self-worth
- Unresolved grief, loss, or trauma
- Emotional regulation difficulties
- Repeated unhelpful life patterns
This approach is especially helpful for those who want to understand the “why” behind their struggles and build deeper, long-term change.
What to Expect in Psychodynamic Therapy Sessions
In therapy, you will:
- Explore how your past experiences influence your present life
- Gain insight into unconscious thoughts and emotions
- Notice patterns in your relationships and behaviours
- Work through unresolved grief, loss, or trauma
- Strengthen your sense of identity and self-worth
The therapeutic relationship itself becomes a safe space for reflection, healing, and change.
Benefits of Psychodynamic Therapy
With psychodynamic therapy, you may experience:
- Deeper insight into the root causes of difficulties
- Improved self-awareness and emotional clarity
- Healthier, more fulfilling relationships
- Greater ability to manage emotions
- Long-term resilience and personal growth
- A stronger, more integrated sense of self
If you’d like to explore the deeper roots of your challenges and build lasting change, Psychodynamic Therapy could be a powerful approach for you.
The Evidence for Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy has a strong research base supporting its effectiveness:
- Recent research reviews have found psychodynamic psychotherapy is still an empirically supported treatment for common mental disorders.
- A growing body of research supports the value of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy.
- A 2023 meta-analysis demonstrated that short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy is effective for adult depression.
FAQ’s about Psychodynamic Therapy
How is psychodynamic therapy different from CBT?
CBT focuses on current thoughts and behaviours, while psychodynamic therapy explores deeper emotional patterns and past influences. Both are evidence-based but take different approaches.
Does psychodynamic therapy take years?
Not always. While some clients benefit from longer-term therapy, others find meaningful progress in a shorter timeframe.
Is psychodynamic therapy only for people with serious issues?
Not necessarily. Many people use it for personal growth, self-understanding, and improving relationships — not just for mental health diagnoses.
Will I have to talk about my childhood?
Often yes, but only if it’s relevant and helpful. The focus is on connecting past experiences to current patterns.
Michelle van Namen is a registered Psychologist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Life Coach and Integrative Health Practitioner with over 30 years of experience working with human behaviour and improving mental health. Michelle has been trained in a broad range of evidence-based therapies. She has worked in a variety of roles within private practice, corporate organisations, education, research, and community crisis support. Established in 2006, Integrated Health Specialists is her psychology practice located on the Gold Coast, providing individual and couples therapy for adults. Michelle focuses on providing a warm, authentic and non-judgemental therapeutic space to support clients and facilitate healing and personal growth. Read more about Michelle.
BA (Hons) in Psychology: University of Wollongong, 1995
Registered Psychologist with the Psychology Board (AHPRA) PSY0001395059
Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPI) 15525
Qualifications verified by Psychology Today
Medicare and Health Insurance Provider.