How and Why Therapy Works

How and Why Therapy Works

Whether this is your first time in therapy or it’s something you’ve been committed to over the course of your life, the process and how and why therapy works might be something worth understanding.

First and foremost you don’t have to be in crisis to seek therapy. Starting therapy is a valid choice for anyone at any stage of life, and it can be hugely beneficial for a variety of issues. Most of us associate therapy with being weak or dysfunctional, but it’s actually a way to improve overall wellbeing and life satisfaction.

This is because there are many obstacles to getting on the couch including stigma, finances, time, shame, and fear. These are normal responses to needing the help of a professional, but if you look at it in the same way you would other forms of medical treatment you’ll realize that it’s a perfectly normal need.

How it works.

Psychodynamic therapy, also known as insight-oriented therapy, focuses on unconscious processes as they are manifested in a person’s present behavior. The goals of psychodynamic therapy are to increase your self-awareness and understanding of the influence of the past on your present behavior.

This type of therapy is relational in nature which means that most of the healing you’ll experience will stem from the trusting and nurturing relationship you develop with me. Most of the suffering you experience can be traced back to your earlier relational dynamics so by exploring these past relationships in the context of your current life we weave together a narrative that explains your current functioning.

Why it works.

Psychotherapy works because you are a relational being, and a large part of who you are stems from your earliest relationships. In the same way your relational experiences from birth have shaped who you are today, the ongoing relational experience you have in therapy will shape who you become.

The way you relate to and experience the world today is informed by the unconscious dynamics you internalized and now re-enact in your every day life. Psychotherapy promotes awareness and deepens your understanding of these early relationships so you can be in the world with a greater consciousness about your feelings and behaviors. This is why the most important variable for successful therapy is the relationship between you and your therapist.

Starting therapy is definitely a big commitment, but it’s well worth the effort. It takes a great amount of courage and strength to do this work.