Psychodynamic vs Psychoanalytic
                     Psychodynamic vs Psychoanalytic
What is the difference?
The terms “psychoanalysis” and “psychodynamic” therapy are typically used interchangeably amongst people 
in  mental health. There is a difference between the two therapies and patients may receive some subtle 
differences  in the two treatments. So what is Psychodynamic vs Psychoanalytic?
What is Psychoanalysis vs Psychodynamic therapy?
Psychoanalysis is a term used to describe intensive psychotherapy treatment. This involves long-term 
rehabilita-  tion treatment that can take multiple years. A patient will undergo treatment multiple times a week. 
Treatment  typical takes place with a patient lying on a couch while a certified psychoanalyst therapist 
conducts the session.  This is the typical way in which most people believe therapy occurs. Oftentimes on 
television, this is how therapy  is represented.
Psychoanalysis is talk therapy, which is a term that gets used more and more when professionals speak about 
 therapy these days. This form of therapy enables a patient to become aware of the hidden meanings or 
thought  patterns in what is said or done which could contribute to the individual’s problems. This gives a 
person the  chance to talk about their past and the problems they have encountered with a person or situation. 
A person is  able to talk through their issues and overcome them in the future.
How long are psychoanalysis psychotherapy sessions?
Typically, psychotherapy sessions last for around 50 minutes in length. Sessions may take place more than 
once
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a week, but in some cases, one session per week may be used. A person is likely to receive treatment for  
one year or more years. Consistency is key to psychoanalysis psychotherapy sessions. Patients will attend  
sessions in the same rooms, at the same time, and with the same therapist.
Talk therapy can:
Bring relief to a patient
Reduce the confusion they have about what helps and what doesn’t 
 Identify changes to make in daily life to get better
Help a patient come to terms with issues that cannot be changed
Psychoanalysis is based on Sigmund Freud’s research. That research has been developed and flushed out  
to create modern psychoanalysis. Freud’s research claimed a person’s bad thoughts and experiences 
during  childhood are repressed. However, these repressed thoughts influence a person’s feelings in 
adulthood.
Who can psychoanalysis psychotherapy help?
Psychoanalysis psychotherapy helps adults suffering from psychological problems. It can improve 
individuals  experiencing issues such as:
Depression  
Anxiety disorders
Relationship and couple difficulties 
 Post-traumatic difficulties  
Personality difficulties
What is Psychodynamic 
vs Psychoanalytic 
therapy?
Psychodynamic therapy is similar to psychoanalysis. It makes various assumptions about the mind and how 
it  works using psychoanalytic theory. However, the practice is different from traditional psychoanalysis 
treatment  provided to patients in a therapy setting. Psychodynamic therapy sessions are brief and there 
may be as  few as 15 sessions. Patients undergo psychodynamic therapy around once a week. Sessions 
are completed  face-to-face. The presiding therapist may not even be a certified psychoanalyst. The 
therapist is trained in  psychoanalysis and/or psychodynamic therapy. and considers that his or her 
therapeutic orientation.
Psychodynamic therapy helps individuals access the subconscious. Individuals typically build defense 
mecha-  nism to prevent painful feelings from being shared.
Three commonly used defense mechanisms include:
Denial  
Repression  
Rationalization
Who is 
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amic 
therapy 
for?
Psychodynami
c therapy 
helps 
individuals 
obtain insight 
into their 
present-day 
problems. 
Therapists 
also
evaluate the patterns a person develops over a period of time.
Psychodynamic vs Psychoanalytic Therapists will review certain parts of a 
person’s  life including:
Emotions 
 
Thoughts
Early-life experiences 
 Beliefs
Psychodynamic therapy helps a person see the recurring issues and patterns in their lives. Once these  
patterns are identified, a person can work toward avoiding distressful situations while developing ways to  
cope with them. The insight a person learns during sessions allows them to see these patterns and adapt  
accordingly.
During psychodynamic sessions, therapists encourage patients to talk about their emotions in a free and  
relaxed environment. Patients are also able to speak about their desires, and fears. The openness of the  
sessions allows patients to feel relaxed to let go of vulnerable feelings. Psychodynamic therapists believe a  
patient’s vulnerability allows them to share hurtful feelings. During sessions, these feelings are processed  
and the defense mechanisms built around them are reduced or resolved.
Alternatives to psychoanalysis therapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy
Psychoanalysis and psychodynamic psychotherapy are alternative styles of therapy. There are other 
alterna-  tives to the two, however.
Besides psychodynamic vs psychoanalytic, other treatment options include: 
 Counseling
Cognitive behavioral therapy 
 Group therapy
Family therapy
Psychodynamic therapy has been shown to be effective for depression, anxiety, Borderline Personality  
Disorder and eating disorders. Studies showed there was no real benefit using psychodynamic therapy  for 
PTSD, OCD or substance abuse. Therefore, with Psychodynamic vs Psychoanalytic, current evidence  
supports relatively long-term psychodynamic treatment for some very specific personality disorders, particu-  
larly borderline personality disorder1. And long term psychoanalytic therapy for all other mental health and  
substance issues.
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