What makes a theory psychodynamic? Discuss the general aspects of psychodynamic theory and relate it to one of the schools/models of psychodynamic psychotherapy and its counselling work with clients.

A theory is psychodynamic when it focuses on the unconscious that is discovered through reflection and emphasizes childhood experiences and internal conflicts (Kealy & Ogrodniczuk, 2019). In psychodynamic theories, change is evaluated based on the individual's "access to emotional experience" (Kealy & Ogrodniczuk, 2019, p. 4) and their overall insight (Kealy & Ogrodniczuk, 2019). Additionally, there is a greater emphasis on the therapeutic relationship and the emotional responses of the client and the counsellor (Kealy & Ogrodniczuk, 2019).

While our past impacts our future behaviours, I have always questioned how accurate psychodynamic theory's emphasis on the subconscious was. I have difficulty understanding how the theory works. However, that is not to discredit it as a whole. Shedler (2010) and Smith (2018) discuss the misconceptions and critical elements of psychodynamic theories, which have enlightened me slightly to a new perspective on this counselling method.

***What misconceptions do you/have you had surrounding psychodynamic theories? Alternatively, what are you most interested in learning about psychodynamic theories?