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Article: Psychodynamic psychotherapy
- Article from:
- Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders
- Author:
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Psychodynamic psychotherapy
Definition
Psychodynamic
psychotherapy
is a method of verbal communication used to help a person find relief from emotional pain. It is based on the theories and techniques of
psychoanalysis
. Psychodynamic psychotherapy is similar to psychoanalysis in that it attributes emotional problems to the patient's unconscious motives and conflicts. It differs from classical psychoanalysis, however, in that psychodynamic psychotherapists do not necessarily accept Freud's view that these unconscious motives and conflicts are ultimately sexual in nature.
Purpose
The goals of psychodynamic psychotherapy vary depending on the method of treatment, which can be ...