Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Psychodynamic psychotherapy, also called depth-psychology-based-psychotherapy, has derived from psychoanalysis and is one of the three state-approved psychotherapy methods in Germany, next to psychoanalysis and behavioral therapy. Its efficacy is scientifically proven and it is applicable to a wide range of symptoms/ illnesses.

In my practice I mainly treat the following areas of concern:

• depression
• burnout syndrome
• anxiety or fears that are felt to be distressing
• self-esteem problems
• excessive feelings of guilt
• adjustment issues (e.g. difficulties in adjusting to a new culture or a new situation in life)
• psychosomatic complaints
• sexual dysfunction
• sleep disorders

Psychodynamic therapy is an insight-oriented method. It explains mental illnesses or difficulties as the results of unconscious, interacting and opposing inner motives and forces. It postulates that (above all during childhood and youth) all human beings develop unconscious patterns based on their early experiences with others. These patterns accompany them through their lives and concern the way they relate to others but also to themselves (self-esteem, inner communication, regulation of various emotions), without being noticed.

At certain times, especially when there are transitions and changes, these old patterns can be revived and become the source of emotional difficulties and even severe mental illnesses. In psychodynamic therapy these symptoms are regarded as unfortunate attempts at a solution.

This means: symptoms have a meaning and are no coincidence.

In the course of psychotherapy, the therapist and patient work together to discover unconscious mechanisms that underlie the present issue and to comprehend the meaning of the symptoms. By understanding the origin of one´s difficulties, thus by bringing inner motives from the “unconscious stage” onto the “conscious stage” the patient gets the possibility to try new paths and to let go of old, dysfunctional, without therapy often recurring mechanisms.

Understanding our own unconscious processes enables us to eliminate the distressing symptoms that are restricting our human potential.

In contrast to psychoanalysis, where the patient lies on a couch, psychodynamic therapy takes place in a face-to-face-setting.

In my private practice I offer psychotherapy in english and german.