Psychodynamic therapy can be thought of as a depth therapy in that it seeks to understand not only what is happening now but how it is being driven by beliefs formed earlier in life—beliefs that we are often unaware of. The better we understand ourselves, the more choice we will have in our responses. If we can improve our responses, we can improve our quality of life and live more aligned with our personal values.

There are several common misconceptions of psychodynamic therapy, even within the behavioral health profession itself. Those who lack formal training it may mistakenly believe that it’s only interested in the past at the expense of the present; that it doesn’t address symptoms, or it’s an aimless process.

Navigating family tension can be challenging for all parties involved. People tend to personalize others’ behaviors and become defensive. There are ways to better understand communication breakdowns, prevent further escalation, and repair the relationship.