Psychodynamic Therapy in Oakland
Ready To Get To The Root Of Your Pain So You Can Finally Feel Better?
There are a lot of helpful skills and tips out there for managing aspects of anxiety, stress, depression, low self-esteem, and other common mental health issues. In fact, many forms of therapy exist that teach tactics for coping with symptoms of these issues.
But “learning to cope” isn’t always what leads to sustained, lasting relief. Sometimes, a deeper look at the root causes of pain and suffering is needed in order for real change to occur.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is an approach for people who want to know and understand themselves more deeply. Through the development of a more compassionate and accepting relationship with the self, the psychodynamic process facilitates deep, transformational healing.
Psychodynamic Therapy Supports Many Emotional And Mental Health Concerns
Psychodynamic therapy is guided by you, the client. Each session, we will explore what feels most present or “alive” for you. Using this information, we will begin to examine patterns and work to better understand some of your internal conflicts that will inevitably surface over time. By reflecting on how certain patterns affect your connection to yourself and others, the therapist and client bond can act as a microcosm of how you engage in your everyday relationships—ultimately giving you an opportunity to address the core issues driving your symptoms in real time.
This form of therapy places a particular emphasis on affect, emotions, and finding language to describe internal experiences. It is guided by the belief that our early experiences (especially those involving core attachments) are formative in shaping identities, personalities, and beliefs. Psychodynamic therapy also acknowledges the impact of external stressors, including but not limited to financial and economic challenges, racism, bias, and systemic injustices.
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Psychodynamic Therapy Can Provide Lasting Relief Where Other Approaches May Fall Short
Psychodynamic therapy can deepen the treatment beyond surface-level issues or teaching “skills.” For this reason, a psychodynamic approach is helpful for clients who:
- Have found other treatment approaches limited in their efficacy
- Are seeking both symptom relief and insight into root causes of their suffering
- Notice patterns getting in the way of their ability to cope, manage stress, and relate to others
- Want to explore how early life experiences and attachment figures may be impacting them today
Research supports that psychodynamic treatment works. Not only is it an effective therapy for depression, anxiety, and panic disorders—it is also shown to address personality disorders, substance use issues, eating disorders, and trauma-related challenges.
My Background As A Psychodynamic Therapist
I work with a lot of people who feel stuck in patterns that negatively impact their lives overall and specifically their relationships. Throughout my years as a therapist, I’ve seen how a psychodynamic treatment approach offers a deeper look at pain and the complexity of the human experience. In addition to maintaining a generalist, psychodynamic approach in my own counseling practice, I participate in group and individual psychodynamic therapy and consultation, alongside serving as a clinical supervisor and consultant in this modality.
I have found psychodynamic therapy to be incredibly supportive in both my personal and professional life. Taking into account the deeply individual and complex patterns that drive our decisions, behaviors, and ways of engaging with the world, I believe this therapy honors the uniqueness we all possess in a way that other approaches don’t.
What To Expect From Our Work Together
In my experience, psychodynamic therapy paves the way to:
- Greater self-understanding and self-acceptance
- An ability to better tolerate intense emotions and resolve internal conflicts
- Deeper awareness of individual needs, wants, and behaviors—and a better understanding of how to respond to adversity in healthier ways
- A more cohesive life narrative where there are fewer conflicts and self-destructive behaviors
Through the safe, secure relationship you develop with a psychodynamic therapist, a foundation is laid from which you can do real work. Feeling held as you process what’s at the root of your suffering, you will become increasingly empowered to work through pain in a way that helps you feel more sturdy, alive, and effective in the pursuit of your goals.
Lasting Healing Begins Here
Psychodynamic therapy gives you the language to describe your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in the process of building a more satisfying relationship with yourself and the world around you. For more information or to get started in therapy, contact me.
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