Psychoanalytic & Psychodynamic Therapy
Understanding the patterns
beneath the surface
Psychoanalytic and psychodynamic therapy is deep, exploratory work. Rather than focusing on symptoms alone, we look at the underlying patterns that shape how you experience yourself, your relationships, and your life.
How this approach works
Most of us develop ways of coping early in life that made sense at the time. We learn to avoid conflict, to perform, to withdraw, to please. These patterns become so automatic that we do not realize they are running the show.
Psychoanalytic therapy slows things down enough to notice these patterns. In our sessions, we pay attention to what comes up naturally: recurring themes, emotional reactions, the way you relate to me in the room. These are not distractions from the work. They are the work.
Over time, you develop a richer understanding of yourself. Not just intellectually, but felt. When you understand why you do what you do, you gain real freedom to make different choices.
What a session looks like
Sessions are 50 minutes, typically once or twice a week. The frequency matters because this kind of work builds on continuity. The more consistently we meet, the deeper we can go.
There is no rigid agenda. You bring what is on your mind, and we follow the thread together. I listen carefully, reflect back what I notice, and ask questions designed to help you see what might be outside your usual awareness.
Some sessions will feel like breakthroughs. Others will feel slow or unclear. Both are part of the process. The most important changes often happen in the spaces between dramatic moments.
Why depth matters
Quick-fix approaches have their place. If you need a specific coping skill for a specific problem, cognitive and behavioral approaches can deliver that efficiently.
But if you find yourself in the same patterns over and over, if your relationships follow the same script, if you have done the coping-skill work and still feel stuck, something deeper is asking for attention.
Psychoanalytic therapy addresses that deeper layer. It is not faster, but the changes it produces tend to be more lasting because they come from genuine self-understanding rather than technique.
Who this is for
- ●You notice the same patterns repeating in relationships or work
- ●You have tried other approaches and still feel stuck
- ●You are curious about yourself and willing to explore
- ●You want more than symptom management
- ●You are drawn to understanding why, not just what to do differently
- ●You are ready to invest in consistent, ongoing work
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between psychoanalytic and psychodynamic therapy?
They share the same roots. Both focus on unconscious patterns, early experiences, and the therapeutic relationship. Psychoanalytic therapy tends to be more intensive (2-3 sessions per week) and more deeply exploratory. Psychodynamic therapy often meets once weekly and may be somewhat more focused on current life issues while still drawing on the same theoretical framework. I work across this spectrum depending on what fits each person.
How long does psychoanalytic therapy take?
This is not a 6-session model. Most people benefit from at least several months of consistent work, and many choose to continue for a year or more. The depth of change is proportional to the depth of engagement. That said, you are never locked in. We check in regularly about how the work feels and whether your goals are being met.
Is this just lying on a couch talking about your childhood?
The couch is optional. The childhood part has some truth to it, but not in the way most people imagine. We do explore early experiences because they shaped the patterns you carry now. But the work is grounded in your present life. Your current relationships, work, emotional experiences, and what happens between us in the room are all part of the conversation.
How is this different from what I would get from a CBT therapist?
CBT focuses on identifying and changing specific thought patterns and behaviors. It is structured, skill-based, and typically shorter-term. Psychoanalytic therapy focuses on understanding the deeper emotional and relational patterns that generate those thoughts and behaviors in the first place. Both are valid. The question is which layer you want to work at.
Ready to take the first step?
I offer a free consultation so we can talk about what you are looking for and whether we are a good match.
Schedule a Free Consultation