According to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary psychodynamics is the motivational forces acting especially at the unconscious level. It is considered a subset of the oldest therapy, psychoanalysis. Psychodynamic therapy is a multifaceted theory of development and interaction that continues to evolve in an attempt to integrate issues of gender, race, class, and culture. As previously stated, the psychodynamic approach is based on psychoanalytic therapy, which is made up of four major theories: Drive Theory, Ego Psychology, Object Relations, and Self Psychology. Each of the four schools of thought presents concepts that help us understand personality formation, psychopathology, process of change, and techniques. Before managed care and the systematic study of therapeutic outcome, therapy consisted of long term psychodynamic approach or psychoanalysis wherein the goal would be to change a broad aspect of the self or integrate parts of the self through various techniques such as dream analysis and free association. Currently, therapists who practice psychodynamic therapy work with a client in the initial stages of treatment to develop a specific focus that creates a structure for the treatment. Through the systematic use of interventions informed by the initial assessment and ongoing formulation of the issue, the therapist supports the client’s development of insight and corrective emotional experience through talking.
For more information about psychodynamic theory and practice, please refer to
Article:
Book:
https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Outside-Psychodynamic-Psychopathology-Multicultural/dp/1442208511
Definition Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMU2QHqtbSM
Example of Therapy and Theory in Action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTHM2o3dvao
Students, Interns, and Professionals:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptvbUjjdJ8E
Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy the same as Psychodynamic therapy?
The short answer is no but many people, not formally trained in psychodynamic therapy may include CBT in their dialogue. Aaron Beck, founder of CBT describes the differences here:
https://beckinstitute.org/cognitive-therapy-and-psychodynamic-therapy/