Psychodynamic therapy grew out of psychoanalysis but is usually shorter, more flexible and more conversational. It rests on the idea that some of our feelings, memories and motives sit outside everyday awareness and, without our knowing, shape our choices and relationships.
In this therapy you speak freely about whatever is on your mind, and the therapist helps you see links between past experiences, present feelings and patterns that keep repeating. The aim is not only symptom relief but a deeper understanding of yourself and more freedom in your choices.
Something else may fit better if…
In psychodynamic therapy the therapist gives fewer instructions and listens more. You are encouraged to say whatever comes to mind, even if it seems unrelated or uncomfortable. The therapist pays attention to recurring themes, to what is left unsaid and to the feelings behind the words.
An important tool is your relationship with the therapist itself. Feelings we have had toward important people sometimes show up in the relationship with the therapist too. Talking about these in a safe setting can help you recognise old patterns and have a new experience of relating.
The therapist also notices the ways we protect ourselves from pain, known as defences. Understanding where these came from and what they cost today can support lasting change.
Online sessions usually last about 45 to 50 minutes and often take place once a week, sometimes twice. The atmosphere is open, and there is usually no fixed agenda or homework.
The length of therapy depends on your needs; shorter versions may last a few months, while more open-ended work can continue for a year or more. Many people describe change as gradual, and it sometimes continues after therapy ends.
Examples are fictional and illustrative.
Negar was successful at work but always felt it was not enough. In sessions she reached memories of a childhood in which she was praised only for top grades. Understanding this link helped her be kinder to herself and less afraid of mistakes.
After moving to Canada, Reza made many friends but still felt deeply lonely. In online therapy in Persian he gradually saw that he feared getting close to others, because he had gone through painful separations as a teenager. Talking about this fear, even as it appeared with his therapist, helped him trust people a little more.
Three years after her father died, Leila still could not talk about him. Therapy gave her room to voice memories and mixed feelings. She says she can now remember her father without sadness taking over everything.
These therapists list this on their profile. All sessions are online and in Persian.
No. The past matters because it helps explain the present, but much of the work is about your current life, relationships and feelings right now.
Psychodynamic therapy comes from psychoanalysis, but it usually involves fewer sessions per week, takes place face to face, and the therapist is more actively involved in the conversation.
Many people find online sessions helpful and convenient, especially when they can speak in their mother tongue. A private space and a stable connection are important.
The first sessions are a chance for you and your therapist to see whether the approach fits your needs and expectations. If you are in crisis or immediate danger, contact local emergency services first.
This page is general information and does not replace a professional assessment. If you are in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact your local emergency services. Urgent help
