What is counselling & psychotherapy?
It can be difficult to appreciate just how easily we become overwhelmed by the complexities of our own minds— especially when we are struggling to master thoughts and feelings on our own.
Counselling & psychotherapy are broadly interchangeable terms for what is commonly referred to as therapy. The former perhaps focused on the immediate, the latter more of a journey - both have adapted to support people across the generations.
A hallmark of psychodynamic psychotherapy & counselling, is the attention given to addressing the root causes of emotional problems.
What is the goal of therapy?
Knowing ourselves.
Psychotherapy is about knowing ourselves more deeply so that we can live our lives with greater freedom and flexibility, instead of being ruled by past experiences and in ways we don't fully understand. Meaningful psychotherapy has a purpose. It’s aim is enduring relief of your pain.
The Psychodynamic Model
A clinical defintion.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is about exploring those aspects of self that are not fully known, especially as they are revealed and potentially influenced in the psychotherapy relationship.
New definition. Jonathan Shelder (2025)
Research.
Some academic papers demonstrating the effectiveness of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy.
Jessica Yakeley & Peter Hobson. (2018)
Falk Leichsenring, et al. (2017).
Peter Fonagy (2015).
Jonathan Shedler (2010).
Christiane Steinert, et al. (2010).
Stephen Briggs, et al. (2017).
Falk Leichsenring, et al. (2013).
