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Depth Psychology and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

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Depth Psychology: Depth intervention is often well-suited for patients who have had several past therapy experiences, as this approach requires a willingness and readiness to “dive deep.” In depth psychology, providers focus on bringing unconscious material to awareness to help patients disrupt unhelpful patterns and build curiosity into the mind’s functioning. Patients are asked to be radically honest about their wishes, fantasies, and even dreams that tend to reveal material that would otherwise not be accessed. Patients interested in this approach are encouraged to log experiences with the unconscious and bring them to the next session as a trial. If patients are satisfied with the result of this trial, depth work continues. Otherwise, an alternate approach may be selected. Patients will receive guidance to address barriers to their process. Assigned work between sessions may include meditations, reflective journaling, symbol research, and artwork based on patient preferences and provider recommendations.
 

Relational Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Contemporary psychodynamic practice is among the most popular insight-oriented treatment approaches. Relational work involves building insight into interpersonal functioning within the psychotherapeutic relationship and in external contexts. Attention is drawn to patterns operating outside of awareness (unconsciously), which may be residual patterns from childhood, past relationships, or habitual trauma responses. While relational work tends to occur over the long-term, time-limited dynamic psychotherapy is possible within 16-24 sessions if patients have few and targeted treatment goals.  

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