What Is Psychodynamic Therapy?

If you often feel guilty, are hard on yourself, or find yourself stuck in patterns of overthinking or putting others first, you may notice these difficulties do not seem to shift, no matter how much you think them through or try to get to the bottom of them. Psychodynamic therapy can help you understand where these ways of responding come from and why they continue.

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I offer psychodynamic therapy in Leicester, providing a space to explore these experiences and begin to see yourself differently, with less self-criticism.
 

Psychodynamic therapy focuses on your inner emotional world, how your thoughts, feelings, and relationships are shaped by experiences that are not always fully in awareness.

At times, different parts of us can feel in conflict. You may want closeness but also hold back, or want things to change but feel unable to shift them. You might notice a critical inner voice that feels difficult to escape or switch off, alongside another part of you that feels not good enough or easily hurt.
 

These tensions can contribute to anxiety, low mood, self-doubt, getting stuck in your thoughts, and relationship difficulties, often alongside a persistent sense of pressure or second-guessing yourself.
 

Do You Recognise Yourself?

You might recognise some of the following:

• You feel guilty, even when you have done nothing wrong

• You are hard on yourself in ways you would not be with others

• You overthink conversations or decisions long after they have happened

• You feel responsible for how other people feel

• You find it difficult to say no or put your own needs first

• You worry about disappointing others or getting things wrong

• You feel pulled between wanting closeness and wanting to withdraw

• You spend a lot of time in your head, trying to work things out

People often come to therapy because these experiences become exhausting, even if they are not always visible to others.

If this feels familiar, therapy can help you begin to understand what is going on for you and where these difficulties may come from.

How Psychodynamic Therapy Works

We do not always fully understand our own thoughts and feelings. Many emotional tendencies develop early in life, particularly through relationships, and can shape how you see yourself, relate to others, and manage emotions.

For example, you may have learned to prioritise others’ needs, avoid conflict, or become highly attuned to others’ expectations. Over time, this can lead to difficulty setting boundaries, fear of disappointing others, or being overly self-critical.

 

These ways of coping often become internal. You might place pressure on yourself or hold yourself to high standards, while another part of you feels overlooked or not good enough.

You may also notice a tendency to retreat into thinking when things feel overwhelming, which can leave you feeling distant or disconnected.

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Therapy helps you understand where these ways of responding come from and how they continue. This approach is less focused on quick fixes, and more on helping you understand what is happening beneath the surface.

Some of these patterns may also emerge in the therapeutic relationship, for example how easy or difficult it feels to trust, rely on someone, or be open. Noticing this together can be an important part of the work.

 

At times, therapy can bring up difficult feelings, but this happens within a space where they can be thought about and understood. There is no expectation to get things right, nothing you bring will be judged, and you can go at your own pace.

What Happens in a Psychodynamic Therapy Session?

Sessions are held weekly and last 50 minutes. You are encouraged to speak freely, without needing to organise your thoughts or get things “right”. Over time, we begin to notice recurring ways of responding, particularly around self-doubt, overthinking, or feeling responsible for others.

If you have never had therapy before, it can feel unfamiliar. You might not know what to say, go blank, or wonder if you are doing it properly.

 

This is not a problem. These experiences are often meaningful and can help us understand how you relate to yourself and others. You do not need to have a clear idea of what is wrong to begin. Part of the work is making sense of what feels unclear.

What Issues Can Psychodynamic Therapy Help With?

Psychodynamic therapy can help with:

• anxiety and overthinking

• depression and low mood

• low self-esteem or feeling not good enough

• persistent guilt or self-blame

• being very hard on yourself

• people-pleasing and difficulty setting boundaries

• relationship difficulties

Rather than only focusing on symptoms, therapy helps you understand what may be underlying them.

It also looks at relationship patterns, such as wanting closeness but expecting disappointment, or finding similar difficulties repeating across different situations.

What Changes in Psychodynamic Therapy?

Over time, people often notice they become less self-critical and less caught in overthinking. There can be a greater ability to understand and tolerate difficult feelings.

You may find it easier to recognise your needs, set boundaries, and relate to others in a more balanced way.

Rather than automatically falling into the same ways of responding, there can be a greater sense of choice in how you respond.

Psychodynamic Counselling in Leicester

I offer psychodynamic counselling in Leicester and online for individuals who want to explore the deeper roots of their difficulties.

If you are looking for counselling or therapy in Leicester, or for a therapist in Leicester for issues such as low self-esteem, overthinking, or patterns of putting others first, this approach may be helpful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is psychodynamic therapy for?
Psychodynamic therapy is for anyone who wants to better understand themselves, especially if you struggle with self-doubt, overthinking, guilt, or putting others first.

How long does psychodynamic therapy take?
Sessions are weekly and last 50 minutes. Many people start with several months to allow time for these difficulties to be understood more fully.

Is psychodynamic therapy evidence-based?
Yes. It is supported by a strong body of research and is recognised as an effective approach for anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties.

Do I have to talk about my childhood?
Exploring the past can be important, but there is no pressure. We work at a pace that feels manageable.

How is psychodynamic therapy different from CBT?
CBT often focuses on thoughts and behaviours in the present, while psychodynamic therapy looks more at the underlying emotional patterns shaping them.

What if I find it hard to talk?
This is very common. Finding it hard to talk is not a problem, it is something we can explore together.

Why do I feel guilty all the time?
Persistent guilt is often linked to taking on too much responsibility for others or being overly hard on yourself. Therapy can help you understand where this comes from and how it affects you.

Can therapy help with overthinking?
Many people find that overthinking is linked to anxiety, self-doubt, or pressure to get things right. Therapy can help you understand what drives it and reduce its hold.

Taking the Next Step

You do not need to be in crisis to come to therapy. Many people reach out because something does not feel quite right, even if they cannot fully explain why.

If you are used to managing things on your own, reaching out can feel like a big step. You are welcome to get in touch at a pace that feels right for you.

If you are considering psychodynamic therapy and would like to explore whether it feels right, I offer an initial consultation where we can think together about what you are looking for.