Psychodynamic theory suggests that as we develop throughout our lives, we employ certain defences that enable us to conceal painful feelings from ourselves. These feelings are hidden in the unconscious. While the defences we use to block out these feelings may have been useful, or indeed essential, at the time, they can become unhelpful as we change and evolve in our lives. By noticing and exploring these defences, we can unlock hidden feelings, bringing the unconscious into our awareness, understanding our contradictions and learning more about ourselves.

A psychodynamic counsellor is interested in the underlying causes of the issues a client brings to therapy. While there are techniques to manage some of the symptoms of distress that may bring a client to therapy, a psychodynamic counsellor would see these as only part of the work. Psychodynamic therapy seeks to understand the root causes of issues by looking deeper into past experiences. In this way, patterns may emerge that contribute to profound insight. Psychodynamic therapy seeks to deepen understanding rather than alter behaviour. Once we have understood something, we cannot go back to a state of non- understanding and lasting change is possible.