Psychodynamic Therapy
Sometimes the reason we feel a certain way is not fully understood or visible; it can be unconscious. Psychodynamic Therapy aims to uncover unconscious patterns created by your past, helping you understand them on a deeper level and view your emotions and life with clarity.
What Is Psychodynamic Therapy?
Psychodynamic Therapy focuses on unconscious processes that manifest in your present behaviour. The goals of Psychodynamic Therapy are to help you be more self-aware and understand the impact of the past on present behaviour.
These unconscious processes include repressed memories, emotional patterns that influence how you think, and unresolved childhood issues that can influence how you feel, think and relate to others without realising it.
It enables you to examine any unresolved conflict that arises from previous dysfunctional relationships and manifests itself in the desire and need to abuse substances, for instance, the use of drugs to numb the pain developed from childhood neglect.
How Psychodynamic Therapy Works
The goal is to increase self-awareness and insight into unconscious influences. Clinicians work alongside you to explore:
- Recurring patterns in behaviour and relationships
- Internal conflicts that result in distress
- Repressed memories and emotions
This form of therapy is talk-based and insight-oriented, to uncover the root causes of psychological difficulties. It often goes deeper and is more long-term than Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and other structured therapeutic modalities, allowing for space to explore the past and connect it to the present.
Psychodynamic Therapy Techniques
1. Free Association
The free association encourages you to explore your thoughts and emotions by allowing you to direct the process and identify patterns while reflecting on your feelings.
2. Projective Tests
This can include word association tasks, where you quickly respond to words to reveal hidden thoughts, or inkblot tests, where you describe what you see in abstract images. Interpreting your reaction to tests is also a common practice.
3. Dream Analysis
Clinicians can guide you through understanding the hidden meanings and fears of your dreams. which is often a subjective technique, but can help you identify areas of growth.
Who Is Psychodynamic Therapy For?
Psychodynamic Therapy can be used for certain issues, such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Family dynamics
- Relationship issues
Psychodynamic Therapy encourages you to enhance your abilities to improve your understanding of yourself.
This technique can be difficult for those who struggle with self-reflection and introspection. However, with the help of a clinician, this will be discussed before determining whether it is suitable for you.
A Case Study: Psychodynamic Therapy For Substance Abuse
A 40-year-old woman seeks psychodynamic therapy due to chronic alcoholism. While she initially came in for drinking, the clinician found that it was a coping mechanism for deeper-rooted emotional pain.
Through exploration, they found she had unresolved conflicts from her childhood, such as emotional distance and excessive criticism from her parents.
Together with the clinician, they found that the drinking served as a numbing agent for the longstanding feelings of loneliness and not being enough.
Working together, the woman and the clinician identified her unconscious defence mechanisms, such as projection, and other patterns found in her relationships. As therapy progressed, she developed improved emotional insight and self-awareness, allowing her to reduce her need for alcohol to numb her feelings and express her feelings directly, improving herself and her relationships.
How Can Us Help You?
Experienced Therapists
Our processes and quality assurance is led by Dr Emma Waddington, Senior Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Us Therapy, with over 20+ years of experience in helping individuals in Singapore.
Holistic & Personalised Approach
Our clinicians draw from various therapeutic models to create a holistic approach. At Us, we have seen hundreds of clients and we recognise that each individual is unique. Our approach is tailored to you but always includes customised treatment plans and integrative techniques.
Thorough Assessment
At Us, we pride ourselves on our comprehensive assessment processes. We will undergo a thorough assessment process with you in your first sessions before we come up with a plan for your therapy.
Our Therapists
What To Expect In Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy focuses on unconscious processes that manifest in your present behaviour. The goals of Psychodynamic Therapy are to help you be more self-aware and understand the impact of the past on present behaviour.
Initial Consultation – A Space to Be Heard
The first session is all about getting to know you. It is a conversation—one where you can share what is been on your mind, what has been feeling difficult, and what you would like support with. Your therapist will ask questions about your background, experiences, and goals, but there is no pressure to answer any questions—just a safe space to begin.
Questionnaires & Onboarding Surveys – Understanding the Full Picture
To help tailor therapy to your needs, you may be asked to fill out some brief questionnaires before or after your first session. These can give insight into things like mood, stress levels, relationship patterns, or coping strategies. They are not tests—just tools to help your therapist understand how best to support you.
Individual Therapy Sessions – Your Journey at Your Own Pace
Each session is a step forward in your journey. Therapy is not just about talking—it is about discovering new ways to navigate life’s challenges, make sense of emotions, and feel like you are getting the most out of your life. Depending on your needs, sessions may focus on:
- Exploring patterns of thought and behavior
- Understanding past experiences and their impact on the present
- Developing practical coping tools
- Strengthening emotional resilience
Feedback Sessions – Reflecting and Adjusting
After the first few sessions (or after assessments), a feedback session provides space to reflect on how therapy is going. This is a chance to talk about what has been helpful, what you would like more of, and how therapy can continue to best serve you.
Intervention – The Heart of Therapy
Intervention is where meaningful change happens. Every therapy journey is unique, and the approach will be shaped around what works best for you. Some common approaches include:
🌱 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Helping to identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns, reduce anxiety, and develop healthier ways to cope and new patterns of behaviour.
🧠 Schema Therapy – Deep, transformational work to uncover long-standing patterns that might be keeping you stuck, often rooted in early life experiences.
💙 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – Learning to handle difficult emotions with self-compassion and move towards what truly matters in life.
🌊 Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – A powerful approach for healing trauma and distressing memories, helping the brain reprocess them in a way that feels less overwhelming.
🧘 Mindfulness-Based Approaches – Building self-awareness, grounding techniques, and ways to manage stress and emotions with greater ease.
Fees
Individual Counselling Rates
Clinician type
Fees and Duration
Clinic Founder
$310
Principal Psychologist
$290
Senior Clinical Psychologist
$262
Educational Psychologist
$262
Clinical Psychologist
$236
Counsellor
$170
Expressive Arts Therapist
$170
Associate Psychologist
$130
Phone calls / Emails
Clinicians rate pro-rata (10 Mins)
FAQs About Psychodynamic Therapy
What is psychodynamic therapy vs CBT?
Some differences between Psychodynamic Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) include, but are not limited to:
| Psychodynamic Therapy | CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) |
|---|---|
| Focuses on unconscious processes, emotional insight and past experiences | Focuses on current thoughts, patterns and behaviours |
| Aim to increase emotional understanding and self-awareness | Aim to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours |
| Involves dream analysis, free association, interpretation and transference work | Involves cognitive restructuring, exploration, and thought records |
What is a psychodynamic approach to therapy?
Psychodynamic Therapy focuses on unconscious processes that manifest in your present behaviour. The goals of Psychodynamic Therapy are to help you be more self-aware and understand the impact of the past on present behaviour.
What are the 5 elements of psychodynamic therapy?
The five elements are:
- Focus on affect and emotion
- Exploration of avoidance
- Identifying recurring themes and patterns
- Discussion of past experiences
- Focus on the therapeutic relationship
What is an example of psychodynamic therapy?
An example of using psychodynamic therapy would be someone with intense relationship anxiety. They may use therapy to explore how their inconsistent caregiving in childhood may have led to their fear of abandonment. Over time, they can gain insight into patterns and create healthier ways to relate to others.