Carolyn's Approach: Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

My therapeutic approach is predominantly psychodynamic and trauma informed. I also incorporate frameworks from other types of therapy such as Mindfulness and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) when required and appropriate.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy is a conversational method that focuses on the idea that unacknowledged thoughts and feelings can contribute to issues like anxiety, depression, poor self-esteem, relational challenges and difficulties making interpersonal connections. Often, we deal with painful emotions and thoughts by pushing them away and put them out of our awareness. And yet, how we think, speak, feel and behave are still being affected by these unconscious activities even if we are not actively thinking about them.

Many people turn to therapy due to uncomfortable symptoms, even just a general feeling of discontent or unsettledness. As therapy progresses, it is often evident that the concerns go beyond just feeling down or anxious. Rather, these symptoms offer messages of deeper, unresolved issues and needs. Through the treatment of ‘talking’, I hope to make meaningful connections and discoveries with patients of what may lie underneath their conscious mind. The psychodynamic therapeutic relationship is a compassionate, empathetic and respectful process where I listen to patients’ personal experiences and subjectivity with curiosity and awe. Ultimately, individuals seek therapy not just to alleviate their symptoms, but to address the deeper, underlying issues within themselves, aiming for a more fulfilling life.

In psychodynamic psychotherapy, we collaborate to enhance your capacity to recognize what lies beneath your conscious awareness; and I appreciate that it can be challenging to confront the difficult or painful aspects of yourself. This framework involves exploring the underlying causes of your symptoms, treating them as valuable insights into your unconscious experiences and gaining clarity about yourself. This process can eventually lead to new perspectives, different actions and healthier ways of living.

Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards

~ Soren Kierkegaard.

Starting Therapy

It does take a leap of faith to seek therapy, as it can be unnerving to engage with a therapist or to connect with a new psychologist after previous therapy experiences. Here is the first step to engage:

Contact me via phone or email.
I will get back to you via your preferred method (phone or email) to arrange an appointment. I am happy to arrange a time for us to have a brief (i.e. 10 to 15 minutes) conversation about therapy over the phone, to help you decide if this is what you are looking for and to arrange the initial appointment (in person only).
At your first session we will further explore your reasons for coming to therapy, identify your therapeutic goals and discuss arrangements for future appointments.

The First Session(s)

In psychodynamic psychotherapy, the first 2 to 3 sessions will serve as an initial assessment phase, where I will learn about you and hear your story. I would also prefer to meet you in person during the first few sessions rather than online.

During this period, it will also allow you to determine if you feel comfortable with me and if I am the right therapist for you. From there, I will share my insights and understanding of you and your situation, and we can discuss our therapeutic fit and create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and concerns.

Following the initial assessment phase, I aim to provide you with a regular and ongoing appointment schedule moving forward.

Length of Therapy

The duration of therapy differs greatly from person to person. It depends on your goals for therapy, the complexity of your challenges, and other practical factors to be considered. Psychodynamic psychotherapy does not offer quick solutions and is a longer-term treatment. It involves us meeting frequently (typically and ideally on a weekly basis) over an extended period of time, and is often an open-ended approach. It takes as long as necessary to reach the goals we establish. This type of therapy is less structured, insight oriented, focuses more on your thoughts and feelings, which we explore, ponder and reflect together. Our time together is intended to make space for the undiscovered parts of yourself.

To be candid, I tend to work the best and most effectively if I can see patients on a regular basis (i.e. weekly) for at least a period of 6 to 12 months. I regard the course of therapy a reflective and compassionate journey with my patients; not only I listen to their concerns, desires and ambivalence, but also being an empathetic witness of their lived experiences. We can discuss this further and reach an agreement on this when we meet.