Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

As one of the oldest of the modern therapies, psychodynamic psychotherapy helps people explore their full range of emotions including ones that they might not be aware of. It focuses on recognising and expressing feelings and exploring how individuals relate to others.

It is also known as insight-orientated therapy because it helps people understand how their moods and behaviours are influenced by unresolved issues or feelings from their past. Sometimes there are underlying mechanisms that are subconsciously motivating people’s actions, and this type of therapy can help to uncover and resolve them.

Counselling, Psychotherapy and Life Coaching London

Issues Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Can Help

This type of psychotherapy can be useful for those dealing with the following issues. It can also be helpful in other situations, so clients are advised to ask a qualified therapist to determine if this type of therapy can help with their particular concern:

  • Depression
  • Panic
  • Anxiety
  • Stress
  • Self-esteem
  • Relationship Problems
  • Family problems
  • Stress-related ailments

What Are The Benefits Of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy?

  • It explores a person’s entire range of emotions.
  • It helps people recognise patterns in behaviour and discern their significance.
  • It can help individuals find healthier ways to deal with their problems.
  • It can help people have more satisfying relationships.
  • It has the power to help people with complex or very deep-seated issues.
  • It can bring about an increased understanding of oneself and other people.
  • It can improve people’s ability to face hardships and issues.

Defence Mechanisms

One topic that often emerges in psychodynamic psychotherapy is that of defence mechanisms. These are ways that people behave or think in order to protect themselves, and it often happens at the subconscious level. Some of the primitive defence mechanisms that people might employ include:

  • Denial (refusing to accept a fact or reality)
  • Regression (reverting to an earlier stage of development)
  • Dissociation (disconnecting from the real world)
  • Acting out (resorting to extreme behaviour to express thoughts or feelings)

More mature defence mechanisms include:

  • Repression (blocking thoughts or feelings that are considered unacceptable)
  • Rationalisation (reframing a situation to match a changing reality)
  • Displacement (redirecting thoughts or feelings toward one person and taking them out on someone else)
  • Undoing (attempting to counteract the damage done by a previous hurtful behaviour)

Psychotherapy can help people recognise which defence mechanisms they employ and determine more effective ways to deal with situations instead.

Meet Our Experienced Psychotherapists

At KlearMinds our psychotherapist hold between 8 to 30 years of experience having helped thousands of clients using effective ethical psychological therapies. As you browse through our team below, do let us know if you have any questions and we will be pleased to assist.
Maggie Morrow, counselling, CBT therapy, life coach and psychotherapist London. MSc Integrative Psychotherapy, BSc Psychology, Adv Dip, UKCP.

Maggie Morrow

Founder of KlearMinds, Award Winning Psychotherapist, Counsellor & Life Coach

MSc Integrative Psychotherapy, BSc Psychology, Adv Dip, UKCP

Maggie’s experience spans over 27 years.

Paul Glynn, counselling, CBT therapy and psychotherapist London. MSc Counselling, PG Adv Cert CBT, Adv Cert Clinical Supervision, BPhil, MBACP (Accred).

Paul Glynn

Clinical Director, Psychotherapist, Counsellor & Couples Therapist

MSc Counselling, PG Adv Cert CBT, Adv Cert Clinical Supervision, BPhil, MBACP (Snr. Accred)

Paul Glynn holds over 35 years experience.

Jess Lammin, CBT therapy and psychotherapist London. MA Art Psychotherapy, BA, Certs, HCPC, BAAT.

Jess Lammin

Psychotherapist (former Clinic Director)

MA Art Psychotherapy, BA, Certs, HCPC, BAAT

Jess holds over 22 years of experience.

Judy Harrison, counselling, CBT therapy and psychotherapist London. PG Dip Psychotherapy, Dip Mediation, Mindfulness Meditation Cert, Cert Psychotherapy, Dip Counselling, Cert Education, B’Ed (Psychology), Dip Clinical Supervision, UKCP, BACP, UKAHPP.

Judy Harrison

Psychotherapist, Couples Therapist

PG Dip Psychotherapy, Dip Mediation, Mindfulness Meditation Cert, Cert Psychotherapy, UKCP, BACP

Judy holds over 25 years experience.

Therapy Reviews

Build Self-Confidence and Overcome Relationship Problems
….I had tried counselling before and thought it wasn’t for me. I now realise that finding the right counsellor makes all the difference. I went to see Maggie when I felt I was no longer able to cope and everything in my life was going wrong…. I cannot recommend Maggie enough. I feel in control, grounded and confident… capable of moving forward in my life. My sessions with her have not only helped me gain…
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A very grateful Lawyer!
Control Anxiety – Depression – Improve Relationships – Career Coaching
…therapy with Judy… has changed my life forever. I suffered daily from anxiety and.. negative thought[s].. holding me back..in my relationships… during lockdown..i was put at risk of redundancy.. I saw 3 different therapists before this, none of which really understood and helped me… Judy helped me understand things… control my anxiety… get back on track… I was blown away with her….
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Events Producer
Help to Find the Best Therapist
…KlearMinds seems to put thought and care into matching their clients with the right therapist. When I initially called… a very kind woman who basically gave me a free therapy session, spending almost an hour on the phone with me, before matching me with the best therapist I’ve ever had. …. Paul was amazing… he was an integral part of getting me through…
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Anonymous
Overcoming Anxiety & Work Stress – Improving Career & Relationships
After a number of false starts with therapists, I can only say that I wish I had found Maggie sooner! Over a period of 15 years I had seen multiple therapists and psychiatrists to address issues relating to anxiety, depression and workplace stress. With invariably unsatisfying results, I was extremely skeptical about seeing another therapist… utterly pessimistic about the possibility of being happy. My skepticism proved unfounded.
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Dan, Civil Servant
Manage ADHD, Feel Empowered & in Control
the 10.. therapy..sessions… has truly left a profound impact on my life. Judy… equipped me with invaluable tools to better manage various aspects of my life. The sessions were instrumental in fostering positive changes, and I now feel more empowered and capable of navigating life’s challenges with a new found sense of control. Judy’s expertise and the structured approach of integrative therapy has proven to be….
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Ola 30, female with ADHD
Help With Bereavement & Depression
I was coping with a major bereavement and it felt like a crisis… Straight away Maggie was warm, kind and understanding… I didn’t want to be in therapy for a long time, I just wanted to get better, get on with my life… I cannot recommend Maggie highly enough to you. Whilst life still presents me with challenges I can cope with them as I feel so much stronger now… over six weeks… after each session I’d…
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TV Director, London
Healing Past Wounds and Trauma
I met with Tania at KlearMinds for 12 sessions…Trust was immediately established between us….Tania helped navigate me through some difficult unresolved trauma from my childhood which had been holding me back a long time. Tania helped me look at my past through a lens of warmth, understanding and curiosity, rather than…Tania’s help has changed my life as I have finally….
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Analyst, Investment Management
Overcoming Trauma, Depression, Parenting Problems, Career Issues
I have seen Maggie for a short batch of sessions, on 4 occasions… I’ve needed help with…post-natal depression…childhood trauma…career…work/life balance…parenting struggles… the services she provides, have been absolutely transformational… Without fail, each time, Maggie has..quickly distilled..the root..issue..and given me highly..actionable..advice..I can…use..long past attending one to one sessions….
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COO, London
Career Change, Confidence Building
My experience with Amanda has been nothing short of transformational. I was completely stuck, down in the dumps about my career and not sure how to move forward. Amanda was absolutely brilliant in her approach…Amanda has helped me understand myself, step back and look at the facts around me and increased my confidence hugely….After the first few sessions I had already….
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Ex-Financial Analyst
Career & Life Coaching
I initially sought out a life or career coach as I felt stuck in a toxic situation at work…I have seen a number of therapists over the years and definitely felt this was the best experience I have had. I really appreciated Maggie’s combination of empathy and practicality, an investment that has truly paid off… working on a psychological level to understand the situation and other dynamics…really helped me navigate….
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Partnership Development Manager
Overcoming Career Anxiety & Work Stress
I had never thought I was someone who would need counselling or therapy, as I had always been very strong. However when my career wasn’t going quite as I had planned it, I found I was becoming very negative and mentally spiralling out of control – in fact turning myself into a victim. Maggie was outstanding at providing me with what I needed, not as a “quick fix” but by giving me the tools to use whenever I may need…
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Corporate Finance Lawyer

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Limitations of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy?
Psychodynamic psychotherapy doesn’t offer a programme of proactive strategies or exercises that can be adopted to facilitate change but focuses on facilitating the clients ability to find their own way through relational, verbal and emotional exploration. Some clients who prefer a more proactive approach from their psychotherapist can find this element frustrating and not for them. Such individuals might prefer a more integrative psychotherapy which includes more active therapies when helpful, such as cognitive behavioural therapy or solution focussed therapy.
What Does Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Entail?

Our Locations

Our Therapy Rooms are near:

Mayfair     –     Soho     –    Harley Street    –    Covent Garden

Our Therapy Fees

Individual
£130 - £160 Per 50 Minute Session
Couples
£130 - £180 Per 50 Minute Session
Company
£130 - £160 + VAT Per 50 Minute Session

Accepted Insurance Providers

Allianz
Aviva
Bupa
Cigna
WPA

Not Accepted Insurance Providers

Bupa UK, AXA, Healix, Vitality and Freedom

Professional Accreditations and Associations

Our hand-selected therapists have trained in the UK’s most respected institutions. They hold a minimum of 8 and up to 30 years clinical experience within the NHS, private and/or charitable sectors. They are registered with: