For prospective clients looking for the right therapist, it would be easy to conclude from a quick scroll through a few websites about psychotherapy that “evidence-based practice” is the thing to look for.  Here, I share details of the scientific research supporting psychodynamic therapy, but also reflect on the relevance of this kind of evidence for individuals looking for their own therapist.

Psychodynamic therapy is an effective, process-oriented treatment that focuses on self awareness of unconscious patterns as a means of change. It is well suited to people who wish to know themselves deeply, and may be particularly relevant to patients who have tried cognitive or strategy-focused therapies with little success.