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What is psychodynamic psychotherapy?

Psychodynamic therapy is a type of psychotherapy that helps people understand the deeper, often unconscious, feelings and patterns that influence their thoughts, feelings and behaviors. It offers a safe and open space to explore your thoughts, concerns and concerns in a non-directive and non-judgmental way, empowering you to truly be yourself.

This approach supports you in developing a deeper understanding of your emotional world and the challenges you experience, while at the same time equipping you with the awareness and tools necessary to understand your emotions and give meaningful meaning to your personal story. Psychodynamic therapy is an ongoing, transformative journey of self-knowledge, which evolves at your own pace and emotional readiness.

At the heart of psychodynamic psychotherapy is the exploration of unconscious thoughts and patterns — often hidden from our awareness — that shape our daily experiences, relationships, and emotional responses. By bringing these to light, you can begin to understand their impact and create meaningful changes in your life.

Child and Adolescent Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

As a psychodynamic child and adolescent psychotherapist, my approach focuses on creating a safe and supportive space where young people can gently discover their true selves behind their defenses. I support them to reconnect with their authentic experiences, promoting emotional healing, resilience and personal growth.

Inspired by Donald Winnicott's concept of the supportive environment, I recognize the essential role of sensitive and coordinated care in emotional development — which goes beyond simple physical care and provides a secure base of emotional safety and continuity.

In psychotherapy, I seek to replicate this supportive environment, providing a space where children and adolescents truly feel understood and supported. This emotional safety allows them to explore difficult feelings, process challenges, and gradually build a more authentic sense of self. Just as a child who feels safe gains the confidence to interact with the world, therapy helps young people develop resilience and emotional well-being through a process of repair and collaboration.

I believe that therapy is not about “fixing” symptoms, but about empowering young people to live authentic and fulfilling lives. Together we build a relationship based on trust and mutual respect — a space where they can openly explore their thoughts and feelings without judgment. This supportive environment nurtures creativity and authentic self-expression, allowing their true selves to emerge naturally.

How I work with each age group

I offer a safe space for children, adolescents and adults with the aim of mental balance.

In early childhood, therapy often involves joint sessions with the child and their parents or caregivers. This collaboration is critical to fostering secure attachment and emotional control. Through play and nonverbal communication during sessions, I observe and process early relationship patterns, while providing parents with guidance to support the child’s emotional development at home. Parental involvement enhances the progress of therapy and creates a stable and supportive environment that encourages the child’s authenticity. Psychodynamic therapy here involves recognizing early defense mechanisms and preventing the development of a false self imposed by environmental demands.

Problems addressed: attachment and bonding difficulties, early/developmental trauma, sleep and feeding problems, temper tantrums, anxiety, developmental delays, sensory difficulties, and emotional control difficulties.

In middle childhood, children begin to express their feelings and conflicts more verbally, although many remain unconscious. Play and creative therapies are essential tools to access these inner worlds. I work psychodynamically to uncover hidden feelings, fantasies, and relationship patterns that may be influencing behavior, mood, or difficulties in school or the social environment. This work helps children develop emotional awareness and resilience. Typically, therapy at this stage combines working with the child through play and creative expression, with regular collaboration from parents or caregivers.

I help families understand unconscious emotional dynamics that affect the child and support healthier relationship models at home and at school. I guide parents on how to strengthen their child's emotional awareness and resilience. This collaborative approach improves therapeutic outcomes and promotes emotional growth beyond the sessions.

Problems addressed: behavioral issues, developmental difficulties, anxiety, depression, bullying, low self-esteem, trauma, family conflicts and difficulties at school.

Adolescence often brings challenges related to autonomy and identity, and parental collaboration varies depending on the needs and desires of the young person. I provide a confidential space where adolescents can explore their feelings and conflicts, while offering guidance and support to families where appropriate. When involved, parents receive support on how to maintain open communication and set balanced boundaries that encourage the adolescent's emerging authentic self.

This psychodynamic work helps adolescents to reconcile internal conflicts and develop a more integrated sense of identity. In my approach I adopt the exploration model of adolescence, inspired by the Adolescent Psychoanalytic Centre at the Brent Centre in London. This model emphasises the creation of a safe and supportive environment where young people can freely explore their thoughts, feelings and experiences. It values the curiosity, self-analysis and developmental challenges that are unique to adolescence. By incorporating these principles, I aim to help adolescents navigate their inner worlds, build resilience and develop a stronger sense of identity at their own pace.

Problems addressed: identity difficulties, depression, anxiety, self-harm, eating disorders, grief, trauma, difficulties in relationships with peers and family, pressures at school and in the family, and adjustment issues.

Young adulthood is characterized by transitions in relationships, education, work, and self-concept. Psychodynamically, I help young adults understand how unconscious patterns, rooted in childhood and adolescence, influence their current choices and relationship dynamics. This reflective process helps uncover and process unresolved conflicts, allowing them to make more conscious decisions, develop emotional resilience, and live more aligned with their values and authentic selves.

Problems addressed: relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, work stress, trauma, eating disorders, identity concerns, and transitions to adulthood.

In adult therapy, the focus is on exploring long-standing unconscious patterns, defense mechanisms, and relationship schemas that shape emotional difficulties and life challenges. Using a psychodynamic framework, I help individuals gain awareness of the roots of their difficulties — often traced to early developmental experiences — and support the integration of rejected or conflicted parts of the self. This promotes greater self-awareness, emotional healing, and the ability to create more fulfilling relationships and a more authentic life.

Problems treated: anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship problems, eating disorders, life transitions, unresolved childhood conflicts, grief, sudden illness and self-esteem difficulties.

What is psychodynamic psychotherapy?

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Child and Adolescent Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

How I work with each age group