Psychoanalytical and Psychodynamic Therapies

Psychoanalytical and psychodynamic therapies are centred on the concept that an individual’s subconscious perceptions, emotions and thoughts develop as they progress though childhood. It then reflects on ways in which these affect the person’s current thoughts and actions.

Jungian therapy

This is a specific branch of psychodynamic therapy developed from the theories of Carl Jung. His belief was that the individual unconscious forms part of an even deeper unconscious – the collective human psyche. He proposed that the patterns within this psyche are common to all humanity including habits such as anxiety and addiction. When individuals have an imbalance in their personal psyche it has repercussions that affect their thoughts and behaviours.

Psychoanalysis

Psychoanalysis was developed by Sigmund Freud. He determined that a person’s deep-rooted and unconscious thought patterns usually have their roots in early childhood experiences. These therapy sessions allow the person to explore their dreams, fantasies or free associations and use them to discover any deep-seated memories or forgotten experiences that may be causing their current issues.

Psychoanalytic therapy

This approach is based on psychoanalysis and also looks at how long-held and subconscious thought patterns affect behaviour in later life. The main difference between the two approaches is that this form is generally less intensive.

Psychodynamic therapy

Psychodynamic therapy evolved from psychoanalytic therapy. Although it also looks at subconscious thought patterns and their effect on behaviour, it deals more with immediate concerns and aims to provide faster resolutions.