Definitions for "Psychodynamic therapy"
A type of therapy where the understanding of past conflicts is used to promote current change. It attempts to understand the role of the unconscious. Major theorists associated with this type of therapy include Freud and Kohut.
Therapy based on the assumption that a person can develop better control over his or her own behavior, choices and actions by understanding unconscious thoughts and feelings and interpersonal relationships.
From the perspective of the psychodynamic treatment provider, the behavior that youth exhibit stems from basic psychosexual conflict. Treatment approaches are derived from the notion that youth are struggling with internal issues stemming from unresolved developmental conflicts from their childhood. Treatment is focused on uncovering the unconscious conflict by interpretation of dreams, play therapy, and other forms of indirect approaches, which try to help individuals gain insight into the origins of their conflict. The emphasis is on identifying the feelings that underlie maladaptive behavior. The primary means by which change is thought to occur is through a connected relationship between the therapist and youth.