My training and professional experiences enable me to draw upon a broad theoretical foundation which equips me to offer therapy based on a psychodynamic approach. In addition to using an attachment based framework, incorporating Kleinien theory, attention is paid to the meaning of play and other communications which contribute to the importance of understanding children’s inner worlds. Time is also spent carefully thinking about the child’s anxieties and defences.

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It is not always easy for children  and adolescents to put their feelings and emotions into words and psychodynamic psychotherapy is a therapeutic process which helps children understand and resolve their problems by gently increasing an awareness over time of their inner world. It differs from other therapies in that it aims for deep seated change in emotional development and is conducted at the child’s pace.

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The relationship with the therapist is a crucial element in the therapy. I offer a confidential and private setting which facilitates a process where unconscious patterns of the child’s inner world become reflected in the child/adolescents relationship with the therapist (transference). This process helps children/adolescents to gradually identify these patterns and develop the capacity to understand and change them.

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This process of helping and change is carefully and sensitively managed by the therapist and conducted at the child’s pace using a safe and containing approach at all times.

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What is psychodynamic psychotherapy?

Psychoanalytic or psychodynamic psychotherapy draws on theories and practices of analytical psychology and psychoanalysis. It is a therapeutic process which helps patients understand and resolve their problems by increasing awareness of their inner world and its influence over relationships both past and present. It differs from most other therapies in aiming for deep seated change in personality and emotional development.

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Psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapists aim to help people with serious psychological disorders to understand and change complex, deep-seated and often unconsciously based emotional and relationship problems thereby reducing symptoms and alleviating distress. However, their role is not limited only to those with mental health problems. Many people who experience a loss of meaning in their lives or who are seeking a greater sense of fulfilment may be helped by psychoanalytic or psychodynamic psychotherapy.

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Sometimes people seek help for specific reasons such such as psycho-somatic conditions, obsessional behaviour, or phobic anxieties. At other times help is sought because of more general underlying feelings of depression or anxiety, difficulties in concentrating, dissatisfaction in work or inability to form satisfactory relationships. It may benefit adults, children, and adolescents. It can help children who have emotional and behavioural difficulties which are evident at home or school. These can include personality problems, depression, learning difficulties, school phobias, problems with sleeping or eating.

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It is often helpful to have one or more preliminary consultation with an experienced psychotherapist before deciding whether psychotherapy is an appropriate treatment for the person concerned.  Psychodynamic treatment is usually conducted once per week and the treatment might be of short or longer term in duration where there is considerable commitment for both patient and therapist.

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