CBT and psychodynamic therapy
I work with both cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy. Which approach suits you depends on what you are seeking help for and what you want to get out of the sessions. I also offer supportive conversations – shorter, focused support when you need help sorting through thoughts around a specific situation.
CBT – cognitive behavioural therapy
In CBT we work with the connection between thoughts, feelings and behaviours. We map out what keeps the difficulties going and try new ways of acting and relating to what is hard, step by step. The treatment is structured, has clear goals and often includes exercises between sessions.
CBT starts from the idea that thoughts, feelings and behaviours are connected. By becoming aware of what triggers discomfort, you can try new ways of thinking and acting – not to push away what is difficult, but to handle it in a way that moves you forward. CBT has strong scientific support and is often used for anxiety, low mood, stress, phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Psychodynamic therapy
In psychodynamic therapy we explore emotions, relationships and earlier experiences in order to understand recurring patterns. The sessions are more open in form and give room to understand why you react the way you do. The aim is greater self-knowledge and lasting change in how you meet yourself and others.
Psychodynamic therapy starts from the idea that our earlier experiences shape us and that we sometimes get stuck in patterns we are not aware of. By exploring together what comes up in the conversation, new insights can emerge, which can make it easier to handle similar situations in the future.
Supportive conversations
Supportive conversations are suitable when you need professional psychological support for a limited time, without it necessarily becoming a longer treatment. It might be about sorting through thoughts around a life change, a crisis or an ongoing stressful period. The format is often shorter and more focused on what is current right now, drawing on the same psychological knowledge. If it turns out that you need more structured support, we can move on to a clearer plan together.
What is the difference?
Simply put, CBT starts from the present and your actions, while psychodynamic therapy places more weight on emotions, relationships and your history. CBT is usually more structured and time-limited, psychodynamic therapy more exploratory. Both have good scientific support and they do not exclude each other – in practice I often combine them based on what is helpful for you. In addition to CBT and psychodynamic therapy, I also offer supportive conversations if you need shorter, focused support for a limited time.
You do not need to choose a method in advance. In the first session we talk about your situation, and then I suggest an approach that we review together.
What suits what?
CBT is often used for anxiety, panic, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, stress and low mood, where concrete tools and exposure help. Psychodynamic therapy often suits recurring patterns in relationships, self-esteem, inner conflicts or grief. Supportive conversations can be a good first step during a specific life change, crisis or stressful period, when you need help sorting through your thoughts for a limited time. Many people benefit from more than one approach.
What does treatment look like?
We start with an assessment during the first sessions, where we put into words what you want to achieve. After that we usually meet every week or every other week, around 45 minutes per session. I adapt the approach to you. We evaluate as we go and adjust when needed.