Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Psychodynamic psychotherapy, also called insight-oriented therapy, is a more effective treatment modality for complex emotional problems. This type of therapy helps the client explore one’s inner conflicts such as early childhood traumas and abuse, troubled relationships and experiences, and shame and guilt issues. The professionally trained counselor guides the client towards a deepening understanding of the destructive aspects of their past, thus helping the client to free oneself of the emotional turmoil. The client gains insight into why he/she feels the way he/she does and the origins of those feelings.

Critical to the success of this type of therapy is the counselor-client relationship, known as the therapeutic relationship. The client must feel secure and safe with the counselor; feel that the counselor is non-judgmental and is accepting of the client.

Treatment goals include improving one’s self-esteem and personal growth; insight into the origins of the issues; understanding, acceptance, and forgiveness of self and others. Typically treatment lasts an average of one year.

Brief Therapy

In this age of wanting quick solutions now it is not unusual for a client to ask the counselor “how many sessions do I need?” or “how long will this take?” Of course, the answer depends on the complexity of the emotional problem. The term “brief” can be highly misunderstood, for some it means a few sessions, for others it could be 25 to 30 sessions. After 2 -3 sessions with your counselor, your counselor should have a better idea of the number of sessions needed.

Brief therapy is not for all types of emotional issues, it is important for a client to identify the desired goals of the counseling process and consult with the counselor to determine if this is the best treatment modality for the achieving the desired goals. It is important for the client to be aware that some problems have been long-standing in one’s life and quick solutions may provide temporary relief but are not typically long-lasting. If you have prior counseling experience with this type of treatment and the problem has reoccurred, a longer term treatment method should be considered.

Couples/Marriage Counseling

When two people decide to enter into a relationship it is with the hope and expectation that it will be a mutually satisfying and long-lasting one. Sometimes the individuals’ expectations are unrealistic, thinking that they have found the solution to obtaining ever-lasting happiness. As the relationship progresses and the stresses of adult life occurs, such as careers, financial management, role relationships, children and parenting, and personal goals, and daily routines; the interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships skills are tested. Often times the partners experience difficulty with communication, conflict resolution, finances, and their sexual relationship.

Typically a couple struggles with their relationship problems for several years rather than seeking professional help. Consequently one or both of the partners start to believe that the situation is hopeless, often times seeking solace with someone else and then looking for ways to end the relationship through separation or divorce.

Although it is the couple’s decision as to the future of their relationship, marriage/couple counseling is designed to restore the relationship. This can only be accomplished when both clients share the counselor’s goal of restoring the relationship and are committed to working towards that goal.