Theory to Therapy: Psychoanalysis vs Psychodynamic Therapy

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The therapeutic landscape can be confusing for both practitioners and clients. Distinguishing between psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapy represents one of the most common areas of misunderstanding—even among seasoned mental health professionals.

We tackle this confusion head-on by exploring the fundamental differences between these two approaches. The classical psychoanalytic model employs that famous "blank slate" approach where therapists maintain neutrality as clients project their unconscious feelings. With multiple sessions per week potentially spanning years, psychoanalysis dives deep into unconscious processes through techniques like free association and dream analysis. Meanwhile, psychodynamic therapy offers a more accessible alternative—interactive, relationship-focused, and balancing insight with practical solutions for current challenges.

For therapists preparing for licensure exams, we break down the key distinctions you'll need to know. We explore assessment tools unique to each approach, duration expectations, and appropriate client scenarios. Our practice question demonstrates exactly how this material might appear on your exam: when a client presents with interpersonal conflicts and needs both insight and actionable strategies, psychodynamic therapy typically represents the optimal choice. By understanding these therapeutic approaches and their distinct applications, you'll be better equipped to tailor your clinical work to each client's unique needs while confidently navigating your professional examinations. Whether you're studying for boards or looking to expand your therapeutic toolkit, these insights will serve as powerful additions to your professional knowledge base.

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This podcast is not associated with the NBCC, AMFTRB, ASW, ANCC, NASP, NAADAC, CCMC, NCPG, CRCC, or any state or governmental agency responsible for licensure.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to today's podcast, psychoanalysis vs
Psychodynamic Therapy, where weexplore the world of therapeutic
modalities and what they meanfor your practice.
I'm Dr Linton Hutchinson, andjoining me is my co-host, eric
Tuchman.
Today, we'll untangle the coreprinciples of these approaches,

(00:22):
highlight their differences andshare insights to help you up
your game as a therapist.
Whether you're gearing up foryour licensure exam or looking
to enhance your knowledge, we'rehere to keep the conversation
practical and relevant to yourwork with clients.
Eric, psychoanalysis andpsychodynamic therapy often gets
lumped together, but they'renot quite the same, are they?

Speaker 2 (00:46):
Right, you are Lytton .
They both aim to uncoverunconscious motives, but
psychoanalysis typically takes adeeper look into long-term
exploration.
Psychodynamic therapy, on theother hand, focuses more on
interpersonal relationships andcurrent concerns, often over a
shorter span of time.

Speaker 1 (01:07):
In psychoanalysis you take on this neutral observer
role, what some call the blankslate.
Clients project theirunconscious feelings onto you,
and that transference processreally helps uncover the buried
stuff from their past.

Speaker 2 (01:23):
Plus the techniques like free association and dream
analysis are all about digginginto the unconscious.
You don't lead the session, theclient generates material and
your job is to interpret itRight, but psychodynamic therapy
is more interactive.

Speaker 1 (01:41):
You engage directly with your client, providing
reflections and real-timeinterpretations.
While still rooted in exploringthe unconscious, it looks at
how past experiences affectpresent challenges.
It's all about helping yourclient understand those links
and make changes.

Speaker 2 (02:01):
Exactly.
Meanwhile, psychodynamictherapy hones in on identifying
current patterns, theirhistorical origins and
addressing behaviors that mightnot be serving the client.
Linton, psychoanalysis ofteninvolves multiple sessions a
week and very intensive and canlast for years, wouldn't you say

(02:22):
?

Speaker 1 (02:23):
Sure thing, it's about delving deeply into
unconscious processes.
Psychodynamic therapy, on theother hand, balances reflection
with actionable change, makingit a bit more approachable and
affordable for many clients.

Speaker 2 (02:37):
So both methods show efficacy in treating mood
disorders and anxiety right.

Speaker 1 (02:43):
Yes, but psychodynamic therapy tends to
align better with modernpractices because of its
flexibility and shorter-termfocus.
Some of the techniquespsychoanalysis employs are dream
analysis and transferenceinterpretation.

Speaker 2 (03:00):
And psychodynamic therapy zeroes in on relational
dynamics, emotional triggers andadaptive coping mechanisms.

Speaker 1 (03:08):
When you're working in psychoanalysis, you might
lean on interviews and narrativeevaluations to explore a
client's themes, true, but forpsychodynamic therapy you might
use tools like the objectrelations inventory to assess
how someone interacts inrelationships.
Okay, eric, let's pose aquestion for therapists prepping
for their licensing exam.

(03:29):
A client presents withpersistent interpersonal
conflicts and seeks a therapymodel that balances insight with
practical solutions.
Which approach would you mostlikely recommend?
A Psychoanalysis, bPsychodynamic Therapy, c

(03:50):
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy andD Interpersonal Therapy.

Speaker 2 (03:57):
And the correct answer is B Psychodynamic
Therapy.
Psychodynamic therapy worksbest when balancing insight with
actionable changes, especiallyfor someone focusing on
interpersonal dynamics.
So, in summary, psychoanalysislooks into unconscious
exploration through long-termsessions.

(04:17):
If you see techniques such asdream analysis, free association
and transference interpretationon your licensing exam, think
psychodynamic therapy.

Speaker 1 (04:28):
Remember that psychodynamic therapy combines
insight with short-termsolutions, making it practical
for clients.
In sessions on the exam, you'llsee the therapist exploring
defense mechanisms and dealingwith maladaptive coping
strategies.
Both psychodynamic therapy andpsychoanalysis are rooted in

(04:48):
Freudian theory, but haveevolved to serve different needs
in therapy.

Speaker 2 (04:52):
Psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapy offer
unique approaches tounderstanding and helping your
clients.
By mastering their principlesand techniques, you can tailor
your practice to meet diverseclient needs effectively.
And you might just get thatquestion right about
psychoanalysis and psychodynamictherapy on the licensing exam.

(05:14):
Remember, it's in there, it'sin there.