Psychodynamic therapy can be very useful when helping patients who have had a traumatic experience either in their past or even currently.

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Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy can be very useful when helping patients who have had a traumatic experience either in their past or even currently. Initially introduced by Sigmund Freud over eighty years ago, psychodynamic therapy is still being used today. As the American Journal of Psychotherapy says, "short-term psychodynamic therapy is indicated for...adjustment disorders, grief reactions, and recent onset of traumatic stress disorder" (Kennedy & Tanenbaum, 2000). They also say that setting a time limit of about fifteen session is also helpful. As Nolen-Hoeksma (2004) explains, psychodynamic therapy "focuses on uncovering and resolving unconscious conflicts that drive psychological symptoms," and "integrate aspects of their personality that have been split off or denied into a unified sense of self." The therapy wants to help patients understand how they've been coping with their mental burdens and how they possibly originated.

Usually something has traumatized the patient earlier in life. A memory which they may have repressed and not know they have.

The patient may not even be aware of their unconscious thoughts, motives or conflicts. Psychodynamic therapy helps them reveal all of those mentioned above. Since many things causing the patient mental harm may be in the unconscious, they may not realize why they're feeling the way they are. But this therapy will help the patient remember perhaps somewhat painful memories, therefore enabling them to work through that memory and be able to finally move on.

This therapy gets to the root of the problem, as opposed to concealing it with medication. Through many sessions, the patient gets a look into their unconscious which can help them cope with bad memories. Nolen-Hoeksema says that "many people report that the self-exploration of psychodynamic therapy has been valuable to them," and studies show these therapy sessions "can result in significant improvement in symptoms for...