Psychodynamic Therapy: What can I expect?

 “The best way out is always through.” – Robert Frost

If you are reading this, there is likely something in your life that feels painful, confusing, or unsettling. From a psychodynamic perspective, emotional pain is not something to eliminate as quickly as possible—it is meaningful. Discomfort is a signal that something important needs attention, and that something in your life is no longer working as it once did. While this can feel uncomfortable and even distressing, it is also an invitation. Growth rarely happens without discomfort, and many of the most important truths about ourselves are revealed during these difficult moments.

People come to therapy when something is hurting. Making the call to begin therapy in Ventura is a courageous act of self-care. Facing what hurts instead of turning away from it requires strength, honesty, and self-respect.

Most of us learn ways to avoid emotional pain long before we realize we are doing it. We numb with food, alcohol, drugs, or constant busyness. We distract ourselves through social media, overworking, obsessive cleaning, or focusing on other people’s problems instead of our own. We dismiss our feelings with familiar phrases like, “It’s not that big of a deal,” “Others have it worse,” or “You’re just being too sensitive.” These responses may have once helped you cope in the past, but they don’t support healing or personal growth.

If you’ve made it this far, you may already sense that avoidance is no longer working. Many people spend years—or even a lifetime—trying not to feel. From a psychodynamic viewpoint, avoiding emotional pain often leads to what we call “symptoms.” Anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, or a sense of emptiness can be understood as the deeper self trying to be heard. A Ventura therapist can help you listen to those messages with curiosity so you can heal and grow through what has been most painful in your life.

Everyone’s experience in therapy is different. Some people feel relief almost immediately simply by having a safe, nonjudgmental space to speak openly. For others, feeling better takes time. The deeper work involves understanding patterns, uncovering unconscious beliefs, and reconnecting with parts of yourself that may have been pushed aside. The reward is a fuller, more authentic life—greater clarity, stronger relationships, increased confidence in your choices, and a quieter, more peaceful mind.

How Long Until I Feel Better?

From a practical standpoint, I often recommend committing to at least three months of weekly sessions when beginning therapy in Ventura. This allows time to explore what initially brought you in and to move beyond surface-level symptom relief. While it can be tempting to stop once symptoms ease, meaningful and long-term change often continues after the initial sense of relief.

In my practice, some clients begin with clear goals, while others only know what isn’t working in their current situation. Together, we collaborate to make a plan to help you not only feel better in the moment, but to create a deeper sense of self-awareness that can ripple into every area of life. We know it may be time to end therapy or explore setting a new goal when you can clearly see that the problem that brought you in is better than it was when you started.

Whatever you are facing in your life today, you deserve support. Therapy is more than just talking or chatting about your week; it is a collaborative process that helps you make real, lasting changes. If you’re considering working with a Ventura therapist and wondering whether psychodynamic therapy is right for you, I invite you to reach out. I offer free 15-minute phone consultations and am happy to answer any questions about what it’s like to work together. Contact me today to get started.