Psychodynamic Therapy: What can I Expect from Therapy?
The best way out is always through. – Robert Frost
If you are reading this article, you are likely experiencing something in your life that is painful or unsettling. From a psychodynamic perspective, emotional pain and discomfort are useful; they send the message that it’s time to get help. That something isn’t working in your life. Humans grow through discomfort, and without it, we tend to ignore the precious, beautiful truths hidden within. It takes pain to get us through the door, to make the call to start therapy. Facing the pain is brave.
There are so many ways to deal with pain and discomfort: numbing, distracting, dismissing. We numb through food, drugs, and alcohol. We are distracted with social media, obsessive cleaning, and focusing on other people and their problems. We dismiss our feelings by responding to them with learned dismissiveness: “It’s not that big of a deal,” “Look how bad it is for those other people,” or “You’re being too sensitive.” Sound familiar?
If you’ve read this far, you’re probably ready or getting ready to confront your pain. This is not a small thing. Some people spend their whole lives avoiding it. Avoiding emotional pain and discomfort invites what we in the mental health field call “symptoms.” From a psychodynamic perspective, many of the symptoms that lead people to start therapy can be understood as the true self trying to get your attention. Everyone’s journey in therapy is different. Some people feel better right away, and for others, it takes time. The potential payoff is a fuller life, knowing and accepting the real you, and more authentic, closer relationships. It means more confidence in your choices, less mental noise, and more peace.
How Long Until I Feel Better?
On the logical end, I recommend committing to 3 months of weekly sessions to give yourself a chance to explore whatever is bringing you in. Some are tempted to end therapy after a couple of sessions because they feel better right away. It can be deeply relieving to finally have a safe place to speak openly about your life. But generally, after the initial relief, there is more to be explored. In my practice, clients tend to continue with therapy for one to two years. It is my goal to help you reach your goal. Many clients don’t start out with a clear goal. They know what they don’t want, but it can take a while to discover what they do want. We get clear together as we progress in our work. We’ll know it’s time to end therapy when you can see clearly that where you are now is different and better than where you were when you started.
Whatever you are going through, you deserve support from someone who can help you. Therapy isn’t just about talking, it’s about getting qualified help so that you can make tangible changes in your life. I hope this article helps you determine if psychodynamic therapy is a good choice for you. I offer free 15-minute phone consultations and I’m always happy to answer any questions about what it’s like to work with me. Contact me here to get started.