Psychodynamic Therapy

What is Psychodynamic Therapy?

Psychodynamic therapy is an exploratory approach that focuses on understanding how past experiences and unconscious patterns influence your thoughts, emotions, and relationships. It helps bring awareness to patterns that may be shaping your life without you fully realising it.

Many of the ways we think, feel, and relate to others are influenced by earlier experiences, particularly those formed in important relationships. These patterns can continue into adulthood, even when they are no longer helpful or relevant.

Psychodynamic therapy provides a space to reflect on these patterns and understand how they developed over time. This can include exploring emotions, memories, and recurring themes that may feel difficult to explain.

The aim is to increase self-awareness and help you understand yourself more deeply. This can lead to lasting change in how you experience yourself, your emotions, and your relationships.

How Psychodynamic Therapy works

Psychodynamic therapy works by exploring your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a reflective and open-ended way.

Rather than focusing only on the present, it considers how past experiences may be influencing your current patterns.

You and your therapist will explore themes that emerge over time, including relationships, emotions, and ways of coping.

The process is collaborative, with the therapist helping you make sense of patterns that may not be immediately clear.

The role of the past and unconscious patterns

A key focus of psychodynamic therapy is understanding how past experiences continue to shape your present life.

Some patterns may operate outside of conscious awareness, influencing how you respond to situations and relationships.

These patterns can become repetitive, leading to similar experiences or emotional responses over time.

Therapy helps bring these patterns into awareness so they can be understood and gradually changed.

Learn more about
Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy can support a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties.

It is often helpful for issues such as anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties.

It can also be beneficial for people who feel stuck in recurring patterns or who want to understand themselves more deeply.

The approach is flexible and can be adapted to different needs and experiences.

Psychodynamic therapy is suitable for people who want to explore their inner world in more depth.

It can be particularly helpful for those who are curious about patterns in their thoughts, emotions, and relationships.

You do not need to have a clear understanding of your difficulties before starting therapy.

The process allows you to gradually build insight and understanding over time.

Sessions provide a reflective space where you can talk openly about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

There is often less structure compared to some other therapies, allowing themes to emerge naturally.

Your therapist may help you notice patterns or connections that develop over time.

The pace is guided by you, ensuring that the process feels manageable and supportive.

Psychodynamic therapy uses a range of techniques to explore thoughts, emotions, and patterns.

These may include free association, where you are encouraged to speak openly without filtering.

You may also explore recurring themes in relationships or emotional responses.

The aim is to build awareness and understanding rather than focusing on quick solutions.

Change in psychodynamic therapy comes from increased awareness and understanding of patterns.

As you begin to recognise these patterns, you may find it easier to respond differently.

This can lead to shifts in how you think, feel, and relate to others.

Over time, these changes can become more stable and lasting.

Psychodynamic therapy can be both short-term and long-term depending on your needs.

Short-term work may focus on a specific issue or pattern.

Long-term therapy allows for deeper exploration of experiences and relationships.

The length of therapy is guided by what feels helpful and appropriate for you.

Psychodynamic therapy is generally less structured and more exploratory than approaches like CBT.

It focuses more on understanding underlying patterns rather than applying practical strategies.

Compared to other therapies, it often places greater emphasis on past experiences.

It can also be used alongside other approaches where appropriate.

Psychodynamic therapy may be a good fit if you want to understand yourself more deeply.

It can be particularly helpful if you notice recurring patterns in your thoughts, emotions, or relationships.

If you are unsure, an initial session can help you explore whether this approach feels right.

The focus is always on what will best support your needs.

Psychodynamic therapy helps increase self-awareness and understanding.

It can lead to deeper insight into emotional patterns and relationships.

The approach supports long-term change rather than short-term fixes.

Many people find it helps them feel more connected to themselves and others.

Psychodynamic therapy may take longer to show change compared to more structured approaches.

It can feel less focused on immediate problem-solving.

Some people may find the open-ended nature challenging at first.

Your therapist will guide the process to ensure it feels supportive and manageable.

Psychodynamic therapy is adapted to reflect your individual experiences and goals.

Your therapist will work with you to explore themes that feel most relevant.

The process remains flexible, allowing the work to develop naturally over time.

This ensures that therapy feels meaningful and personal.

Psychodynamic therapy can be used alongside other approaches to provide broader support.

For example, it may be combined with CBT or other therapies to address different aspects of your experience.

This allows therapy to be more flexible and responsive to your needs.

Your therapist will guide how different approaches may work together.

Therapists that offer
Psychodynamic Therapy

Dr Shireen Sultana

Counselling Psychologist | DCounsPsych, HCPC | Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist | EMDR Consultant

Trauma-focused Therapy | CBT & EMDR| Autism & ADHD Assessment

Zeevar Harris

Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist | BABCP

CBT & EMDR / CFT / Couples Therapy / Trauma-Focused Therapy

Dr Nomsa Wayland

Chartered Counselling Psychologist | HCPC | BPS | BACP

CBT | Person Centred | Psychodynamic | Systemic Therapy | Integrative

Monika Wilkowska

BABCP Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist

CBT for Self-Esteem, Stress, Anxiety, Insomnia, Menopause & Parenting Adjustment

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Client feedback

Here’s what our clients say about their journey—from first steps to lasting change.

‘’I consulted Shireen when I was overwhelmed with trauma that went back many years. I didn’t know what to expect with both CBT and EMDR. Shireen made me very comfortable with her, there is a certain warmth in her that helped me open up with much ease. She worked through all the years of my trauma very slowly, systematically whilst explaining the process to keep me informed.

Her work had miraculous effects on my emotional stability. Each session helped me instantly recover from parts of my negative experiences and cognition. Her therapy gave me a completely new outlook towards life and moving forward. I feel very positive, confident and happier to take on life’s challenges for better.’’

NK

“With over 15 years of therapy behind me with lots of different therapists, Shireen has been the one to make a difference and have a positive impact on my life.

She has a gentle and empathetic approach, listening intently to you, whilst at the same time equipping you with the tools and confidence needed to tackle difficult situations.

Combining EMDR and CBT therapy with Shireen has been revolutionary to allow me to heal and move forward from past traumas and create new ways of approaching people and situations going forward.”

RT

Prior to seeing Shireen, I was very skeptical about therapy as I’ve not had much past success. Due to having ASD and ADHD, I always felt previous therapists never truly understood me. However, my sessions with Shireen have completely changed my perspective. I reached out to Shireen regarding trauma and PTSD and needed intense therapy.

I was recommended EMDR. Within 8 sessions, I’ve come out of this a completely changed man. Shireen’s professionalism, empathy, patience, cooperatism, amazing listening and understanding skills; clear explanations and safe environment allowed me to be more open minded and gave me the confidence to be able to put my trust in her to work through my trauma and mental health, which has left me in a much better place mentally and emotionally. She was fully invested in me and took the time to truly listen and understand how I was feeling, which allowed us to work together to find the correct solutions.

Her EMDR sessions were intense, however, because I grew to trust her in the sessions leading up, she gave me the confidence to power through a lot of these sessions and my emotions, no matter how hard it was for me emotionally. She has been an absolute star and words cannot thank her enough for the time and effort she has put in to get me into a better place. I cannot recommend her enough, 11/10.

Jake

‘’Working with Shireen has been a truly transformative experience. She created a safe space where I feel heard and understood.  Her empathy, insight and gentle guidance have helped me gain clarity, build healthier coping strategies and feel more confident in navigating life’s challenges. I deeply appreciate her professionalism, patience and genuine care for my well-being.’’

Elena

‘’Shireen took the time to truly understand me, my life, and exactly what I wanted to get out of therapy. When I first started seeing Shireen, I was going through a new relationship, and she helped me navigate it without repeating patterns I might have fallen into in the past. Later, we did several sessions of EMDR therapy, which have already made a huge difference in my way of thinking. In our final session, we were able to conclude my therapy in a thoughtful way, and I was given practical tools to take forward with me.

I wanted a therapist who wasn’t afraid to tell me the truth and keep me honest during times when I was being unreasonable, and Shireen did exactly that. Thank you, Shireen!’’

HB

‘‘DR. Shireen helped me overcome agoraphobia-related anxiety and panic during a particularly challenging period of my life.

What I valued most was that she didn’t just listen, she provided practical CBT strategies and targeted exercises that gave me the tools to manage my anxiety, regain confidence, and better understand myself. Through her support, I developed greater self-awareness and continued to grow both personally and emotionally.

I am incredibly grateful for her help and would highly recommend her to anyone seeking a skilled, caring, and effective therapist.’’

IS

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