Individual work in the sense of depth psychological psychotherapy

Psychotherapy (TP) based on depth psychology is a form of psychotherapy that is based on the theoretical foundations of psychoanalysis to Sigmund Freud and its further developments. Treatment usually takes place face-to-face, usually weekly, but always tailored to the patient’s / client’s requirements.

The TP is based on basic psychological assumptions. The word ‘depth’ in depth psychology refers to hidden depth of the unconscious (unconscious or misunderstood desired, motives and conflicts) and to the ‘depth of time’, i.e. the ongoing influences from childhood and youth. In the context of TP, it is assumed that deep, unconscious psychological processes have an impact on people’s mental health. From this perspective, unconscious conflicts or repressed experiences are important approaches for meaningful treatment alongside current issues.

The therapeutic methodology of TP has similarities to psychoanalysis but differs in the therapeutic attitude, treatment frequency, treatment duration and setting. Some of the same basic theoretical concepts as well as some treatment techniques (confrontation, clarification and interpretation) are used.

Conflict-related transmission patterns are processed in the current situation (e.g. to the partner, the superior, etc). The focus of therapy is on conscious and unconscious conflicts triggered by current life events, which currently lead to compromise formation in the form of illness-related symptoms. The processing of such conflicts, which originate from the patient’s past, especially from their early childhood (basic conflicts), is addressed in depth psychology-based therapy.

In therapeutic practice, the patient and psychotherapist work in a goal-oriented manner on specific problems. The goals and topics are discussed with each other.

And there is great transparency regarding the therapy process. Compared to psychoanalytic treatment, the focus is more on the ‘here and now’.

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