Treatment Modalities

Role of unconscious processes

Psychodynamic therapy focuses on unconscious processes as they manifest in present behavior. The goals of psychodynamic therapy are client self-awareness and understanding of the influence of the past on present behavior.

Psychodynamic therapy is the oldest of the modern therapies. As such, it is based in a highly developed theory of human development and interaction. The goal of therapy is often to change an aspect of one's identity or personality or to integrate key developmental learning missed while the client was stuck at an earlier stage of emotional development. A central concept in psychodynamic therapy is that there should be one major focus for the therapy rather than the more traditional psychoanalytic practice of allowing the client to associate freely and discuss unconnected issues. The central focus is developed during the initial evaluation process, occurring during the first session or two. This focus must be agreed on by the client and therapist. The central focus singles out the most important issues and thus creates a structure and identifies a goal for the treatment. The therapist is expected to be fairly active in keeping the session focused on the main issue. Having a clear focus makes it possible to do interpretive work in a timely manner because the therapist only addresses the specific problem area.

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Brief Interventions and Brief Therapies for Substance Abuse. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 1999. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 34.) Chapter 7—Brief Psychodynamic Therapy.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64952/