Quiz - Is Psychodynamic Therapy For You?

Do this quick quiz to find out:

1. Are you a reflective person who often wonders about how your past has affected you now?

2. Do you want to decide what you talk about in sessions?

3. Are you too busy to do homework and prefer to reflect when you can in between session instead?

4. Are you willing to explore the conflict that cause you stress, pain or difficulty in your life?

5. Would you like to feel comfortable with your therapist, in a supportive space, so that you can discuss deeper thoughts?

6. Would you like to know how your therapist makes sense of the patterns, behaviors, and experiences?

7. Are you interested in understanding the underlying reasons as to why you do what you do?

8. Are you willing to work on yourself over time in order to make sustainable long term changes?

If you answered yes to two or more questions you would likely be rewarded greatly from psychodynamic therapy. Through understanding yourself, your behaviours and your past, comes the ability to overcome difficulties and grow.

By Magdalena Lopez

Psychologist

The Five Core Benefits of Psychodynamic Counselling

One of the most interesting things about working with Psychodynamic counselling is that it provides several benefits both in the short term and across time. Here are a few points to consider:

1.       Relief of symptoms and distress. In some cases almost instantly.

Engaging in therapy with a caring and compassionate therapist allows people to talk freely and openly about whatever is on their mind without judgment. Relief can be felt almost instantly when you embark on this journey. The realisation that you are starting to take charge and become pro-active about your mental health is empowering and brings hope.

2.       Feeling immediately supported, understood and accepted.

Friends and family are often helpful when it comes to trying to resolve everyday concerns, however, they don't have the technical tools that a qualified psychologist has in order to assist further.

Talking to a warm, calm and experienced psychologist can be a very reassuring experience. There are no expectations, nor homework to do with this style of therapy, just your wish to come in, tell your story and have an expert listen in ways that reduce your feelings of shame, pain and isolation.

3.       Allows the creation of new perspectives that haven't been previously considered.

Self-awareness begins to grow steadily as you explore different psychological layers about yourself throughout therapy. New perspectives become apparent and at the same time, your anxieties start to release alongside other symptoms.

Being able to identify your unconscious patterns (to mention a few: avoidance, people pleasing, overcompensating)  and gain a deeper understanding to what is triggering them, allows you to unlock unhelpful behaviours, and achieve clearer direction in your life.

4.       It continues to provide effectiveness across time even after the therapeutic process has come to an end.

The wonderful thing about psychotherapy is the lasting effects it has in each individual long after therapy has ended.

Creating fresh understandings and connections within yourself with the help of therapy has an enormous effect on the brain. Several studies have already been able to capture these physiological changes. (see article) therefore, psychotherapy helps you learn how to control and manage situations more effectively well after therapy has concluded.

 

5.       Increase in inner resources and coping tools.

Finally, insight or your self awareness is heightened in this process. Alongside it, comes the ability to connect better with others, and communicate your thoughts and feelings, in a more effective way. This change becomes second nature over time. Therapy progressively helps you  improve your self esteem, enjoy more satisfyingrelationships, increase your empathy and help you learn a far more useful ability to tackle difficulties in life more effectively and independently. It's worth it.

by Psychologist Magdalena Lopez

About Me: I'm a caring & compassionate Psychologist in Melbourne, helping adults, couples and families in counselling who have anxiety, depression or relationship concerns, live a happier, healthier life. 

This blog is for informational and educational purposes only.  The information provided should not be used as a replacement for psychological assessment and treatment. There is no substitute for consultation with a qualified mental health specialist, or even a physician, who would be the best to evaluate and advise based on a careful, considered evaluation of all pertinent facts. Magdalena Lopez Psychology, shall have no liability for claims by, or damages of any kind whatsoever to users of this website. This website is not an emergency services resource, therefore if you are in immediate assistance, please dial 000 for emergency services or call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Your use of this website constitutes your agreement to the above disclaimer.

Four Signs Your Anxiety is Getting the Better of You

We've all experienced some level of anxiety at one point or another in life. It's uncomfortable and it eventually passes so we don't give it any more thought but when it becomes more frequent and intense, or it's simply not going away, there's a sense that something is not quite right.

Let's explore some of the things most people can relate to at the hour of noticing this level of anxiety and why it's a good idea to seek an experienced Psychologist for help.

1. When it is creating  distress in your life and it's starting to make you feel down

Thoughts are becoming scattered, going round in circles, it may even be hard to focus at times. Perhaps it feels like you are losing some control and that is starting to create an extra level of worry.

Unfortunately, it may be impacting either work, your relationships or study. Maybe your sleep is getting interrupted which means the next day, functioning at an optimal level just becomes slightly harder.

All this could create physical tension, maybe heart palpitations or even an intense sense of dread or panic without any explanation at all.

Panic can feel very overwhelming and scary experience. Sometimes people end up feeling flat or down after such high levels of anxiety, wanting to isolate, withdraw or avoid certain people (tasks or events). There is a risk depression may be on its way too.

2. Nothing you have done or are doing is making it go away

So you've spoken to your family and friends and they have tried to say everything that might help but it may only give you temporary relief. You've tried engaging in some distraction, exercise and other healthy habits only to realise something is still there.

Talking to your circle of people is helpful in the beginning but after a period of time, it may start to become repetitive and may create some discomfort in the relationship.  It's a clear sign that their ability to help is now limited when your loved ones suggest professional support is your best option.

3. You are self medicating or using over-reliant coping mechanisms

It may be alcohol, party drugs, some gambling, pornography  or over relying on others, perhaps engaging in a healthy activities (such as exercise) but over doing it. All in hope of quietening the anxiety or distracting yourself enough to not notice it.

Unfortunately, the catch twenty two is that all these efforts seem to provide a helpful distraction for a while, but in the end, they are harmful to yourself mentally and physically. These unhealthy coping mechanisms could impact the relationships you have with others around you.

4. People you know are suggesting that you reach out to a professional for help

Suggesting you speak to a qualified professional who can help is another way others can support you. It's not easy to watch someone you care for suffer emotionally, therefore it is the best advice they can give you.  It keeps your relationships healthy and you get to work on resolving your concerns in a confidential, safe and professional manner. Perhaps it's time to be proactive and seek the right help with a trained psychologist to start working on what matters the most, your peace of mind.

by Psychologist Magdalena Lopez

About Me: I'm a caring & compassionate Psychologist in Melbourne, helping adults, couples and families in counselling who have anxiety, depression or relationship concerns, live a happier, healthier life.