Psychodynamic psychotherapy is a form of short or longer-term therapy which is aimed at encouraging individuals to bring their true feelings to the surface.

Rather than beginning from painful past events, psychodynamic psychotherapy encourages the client to talk freely about whatever comes to mind at that particular moment in time. It focuses mainly on the feelings that the client experiences towards the psychotherapist, as well as towards other people who are part of the clients life. By expressing and exploring his or her feelings in the present, the patient can be helped by the therapist to understand how current thoughts, feelings and behaviours are not driven by conscious thought, but by subconscious feelings from the past.

Childhood experiences are particularly significant in terms of psychodynamic psychotherapy, because of course these not only colour our present day experience of life, but also have the ability to inform and impact on our futures. As it requires certain levels of introspection, this type of therapy can be particularly useful in providing valuable insights and greater self-awareness which allow individuals to make healthier decisions based on present needs rather than past experiences.