Psychotherapy based on depth psychology

Updated on

Julia Dobmeier is currently completing her master's degree in clinical psychology. Since the beginning of her studies, she has been particularly interested in the treatment and research of mental illnesses. In doing so, they are particularly motivated by the idea of ​​enabling those affected to enjoy a higher quality of life by conveying knowledge in a way that is easy to understand.

More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.

The psychotherapies based on depth psychology are a further development of psychoanalysis. Like these, they also aim to solve current emotional problems by dealing with buried conflicts from the past. For this purpose, depth psychological procedures use techniques from classical psychoanalysis. However, they are more goal-oriented and are limited in time. Read here how psychotherapies based on depth psychology work and when they are suitable.

What is psychotherapy based on depth psychology?

The term "psychotherapy based on depth psychology" encompasses various therapeutic methods that have developed from psychoanalysis. Like psychoanalysis itself, they are based on theories developed by the Viennese neurologist Sigmund Freud at the end of the 19th century. The unconscious plays a central role in this.

The approach is based on the assumption that repressed conflicts from childhood underlie current problems. Internal conflicts can arise, for example, when parents overprotect their child. The child can then not live out his need for independence. The conflict between the contradicting needs for independence on the one hand and security and attachment on the other is suppressed from consciousness.

In later life, the person concerned may repeat this relationship pattern by becoming dependent on the partner. Serious problems can arise at the latest with a separation. Therapy makes it possible to make such conflicts visible and to deal with them.

In contrast to psychoanalysis, psychotherapy based on depth psychology is limited in time. Therefore, the therapist focuses on the main conflicts that burden the patient. Even when childhood conflicts are explored, the focus always goes back to the here and now. Depending on the disorder, the therapist uses specific techniques.

Another difference to classic psychoanalysis: In deep psychological psychotherapy, the patient does not lie on the couch during the session, but sits across from the therapist.

When do you do psychotherapy based on depth psychology?

Psychotherapy based on depth psychology is used for many mental disorders - from anxiety disorders to depression and personality disorders. It is offered on an outpatient and inpatient basis as well as individual or group therapy.

An important prerequisite for psychotherapy based on depth psychology is that the patient is ready to work on his personality and to recognize the conflicts behind the symptoms. The focus is always on the patient's past.

There are no concrete instructions or suggestions for action from the therapist. If a patient desires this, behavior therapy may be more appropriate for them.

Behavior therapy

How behavior therapy works and for whom it is suitable can be read in the article Behavioral Therapy.

What do you do with psychotherapy based on depth psychology?

As before any therapy, the therapist must first make a diagnosis. To do this, the therapist asks about the symptoms, important relationships in the patient's life and formative experiences in his life. The aim is to uncover possible triggers for the problems. Crucial clues provide information about when the symptoms started and which situations make them worse.

Recognizing Conflicts

In the initial phase, it is also about working out a central conflict. In connection with this conflict, the goals that the patient would like to achieve in therapy are determined. One goal, for example, can be to develop more independence.

The therapist gets an impression of how the patient behaved in other relationships, for example with parents, friends or life partner, through the patient's stories. It is possible that repetitive behavior patterns can be identified, which the therapist then reflects to the patient. He also offers interpretations of what this behavior or certain feelings mean and which unconscious wishes could be hidden behind it.

During therapy, the therapist also reveals internal conflicts that the patient was previously unaware of. As soon as the patient recognizes problematic behavior and thought patterns, there is an opportunity for change.

Therapist-patient relationship

Another important topic of therapy is the relationship between patient and therapist. The therapist uses this interaction as a mirror for how the patient interacts with other people. For example, if the patient behaves very anxiously towards the therapist, then the therapist addresses this fearfulness: Why is the patient behaving anxiously? How did this fear of other people come about?

Sounded out emotions

In psychotherapy based on depth psychology, a lot of space is generally given to feelings. The patient learns to recognize and name all his emotions - positive as well as negative. Some feelings and thoughts may be embarrassing or uncomfortable for the person concerned. If the patient tries to avoid these by missing sessions or not addressing issues, the therapist will explore the meaning behind the avoidance behavior.

Before the end of the therapy, the therapist prepares the patient emotionally for the time afterwards. Feelings of fear or anger that may arise with parting are dealt with in the therapy.

Katathymal Imaginative Psychotherapy

The term psychotherapy based on depth psychology includes various therapeutic approaches that have developed from psychoanalysis. This also includes katathym-imaginative psychotherapy. In this form of therapy, the therapist works with images and symbols. These can trigger feelings and thoughts in the patient that reflect internal conflicts. In different stages the therapist tries to penetrate deeper and deeper into the unconscious.

The therapist shows the patient, for example, pictures of a stream or a mountain. Psychological problems manifest themselves, for example, when the patient has difficulty climbing the mountain in his mind, or when the brook triggers a flood in his mind. By interpreting these so-called daydreams, the therapist can make unconscious processes visible to the patient. This therapy is therefore also suitable for people who find it difficult to describe their problems in words.

The katathym-imaginative psychotherapy is suitable for people who find it difficult to describe their problems with words. It is also an option for highly rationalizing, emotionally blocked patients. It can be recommended for most mental disorders, especially depression and anxiety disorders. In acute psychosis or an acute severe depressive phase, however, psychiatric treatment is preferable.

Focal therapy

Another special form of psychotherapy based on depth psychology is focal therapy. This is characterized by a particularly short duration of ten to 30 sessions. Focal therapy is particularly suitable when the patient has a core conflict that he would like to deal with.

The therapist works with the patient on the acute problem in a very goal-oriented manner. From this experience the patient should learn to deal with other conflicts independently in the future.

Because of the few sessions, the focal therapy is intense and emotionally demanding. It is therefore important that the patient is very motivated and ready to think about himself self-critically outside of the sessions.

Duration of psychotherapy based on depth psychology

The depth psychological therapy can last from a few months to two years. The meetings usually take place once or twice a week.

What are the risks of psychotherapy based on depth psychology?

Therapies that extend over a long period of time always involve the risk that the patient will develop a certain emotional dependence on the therapist. This risk therefore also exists with psychotherapy based on depth psychology. If it ends after a long period, some patients fall into a deep hole and feel lost. However, experienced therapists are aware of this problem. You address the topic repeatedly and prepare the patient for the time after the therapy before the last session.

Patients who go into deep psychological psychotherapy usually do so because of psychological stress. They want to overcome this, but at the same time some fear the changes that go hand in hand with psychotherapy based on depth psychology. In doing so, the hidden sides of the personality are also illuminated.

In therapy, most patients discover previously unknown feelings and thoughts within themselves.This changes their posture and behavior. This is not only a challenge for the patient himself, but also for those around him. If, for example, a previously shy person suddenly appears self-confident as a result of the therapy, other people may react irritated.

What do I have to consider after deep psychological psychotherapy?

In psychotherapy based on depth psychology, the patient deals intensively with his feelings, thoughts and childhood memories. The therapy sessions are more effective if the patient takes the time to process what has been discussed afterwards.

In psychotherapy based on depth psychology, it is also important to pay attention to which feelings a therapy session has triggered. It is helpful if the patient makes a note of these to discuss with the therapist in the next session.

If the impending end of therapy raises fears and concerns, patients should be open about this to the therapist. Certain topics may need to be discussed again. Sometimes it makes sense to extend the therapy.

Tags:  book tip symptoms teenager