My approach
Psychodynamic therapy, in plain English
No jargon, no couch clichés. Just an honest explanation of how this way of working understands people, and what you can expect.
The past is not past
The central idea of psychodynamic therapy is simple: the ways we learned to cope, love and protect ourselves early in life don't disappear when we grow up. They become templates — quiet habits of mind that shape how we feel, relate and choose, often without our noticing. When those templates fit our present lives, all is well. When they don't, we can find ourselves stuck in patterns we don't understand: the same argument, the same sinking feeling, the same door closing. In therapy, we get curious about those patterns — not to blame anyone, but to understand them. And what we can understand, we have a chance to change.
What actually happens in a session
You talk. I listen — carefully, and without judgement. There is no script and no homework. Some weeks you'll arrive knowing exactly what you need to talk about; other weeks nothing will come, and that in itself is worth exploring. I won't just nod along. From time to time I'll offer a thought — perhaps a connection between something you're describing now and something you've told me before, or a feeling that seems to be hovering at the edge of your words. You're always free to disagree; often the most useful moments come from what doesn't quite fit.
Why it takes the time it takes
Psychodynamic therapy is usually open-ended rather than fixed to a set number of sessions. That's not because change is slow for its own sake — it's because we're working with patterns that took a lifetime to build, and trust, which is the ground everything grows from, can't be hurried. Some people come for a few months around a particular difficulty; others stay longer and go deeper. We'll review how it's going together, and the door stays open either way.
Who it tends to suit
This approach suits people who want to understand themselves, not just cope — people who sense that their difficulties have roots, and who are willing to be curious about them. You don't need to be articulate, or to have a dramatic story. You only need a willingness to begin.
Questions
Common questions about this approach
Is psychodynamic therapy evidence-based?
Yes. Psychodynamic therapy has a substantial and growing evidence base, including for depression, anxiety and difficulties in relationships. Research also suggests its benefits tend to continue after therapy ends — perhaps because the work changes how you understand yourself, not just how you manage symptoms.
Will I have to talk about my childhood?
Only if it's relevant and only when you're ready. The past matters in this approach, but we always start from what's troubling you now. Sometimes earlier life turns out to be important; sometimes less than you'd expect. You're never forced to go anywhere you don't want to go.
How is it different from CBT?
CBT tends to focus on thoughts and behaviours in the present, with structured techniques and goals. Psychodynamic therapy is less structured and more exploratory: rather than working on symptoms directly, we're interested in what lies beneath them. Neither is 'better' — they suit different people and different difficulties. I'm happy to talk this through with you.
How long will I need to come?
There's no fixed answer. Some people find a few months helpful; others choose longer-term work. We'll talk about this openly in our first sessions and review it together as we go. Ending is always your choice.
Is everything I say confidential?
Yes, with a few important legal and ethical limits — for example, if I believed you or someone else was at serious risk of harm. I explain confidentiality fully in our first session and in my privacy notice, and you're welcome to ask about it at any time.
Do you work online as well as in person?
Yes. I see clients in person in [Town/City] and online via a secure video platform for clients anywhere in the UK. Many people find online sessions work just as well; we can discuss what would suit you best.
Still curious?
A first conversation is the easiest way to get a feel for whether this way of working — and I — might suit you.
Book a first conversation