ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Psychodynamic psychotherapy

Psychodynamic psychotherapy is a way for people to talk to someone who is very good at listening and helping them feel better when they are feeling sad, angry, scared or any other strong emotion. The person helping is called a therapist and the person who needs help is called a patient. The therapist will listen carefully to what the patient says and will ask questions to help them understand why they are feeling the way they do.

The therapist and patient will talk about the patient's past experiences, their thoughts and feelings, and their relationships with other people. They might talk about things that happened a long time ago that are still bothering the patient today. The therapist will help the patient to feel more in control of their thoughts and feelings and will teach them ways to cope with strong emotions.

This type of therapy is called "psychodynamic" because it focuses on understanding how the patient's past experiences have shaped the way they think and feel today. The therapist will encourage the patient to explore their emotions and will help them make connections between their current feelings and experiences from their past. This helps the patient to gain insight into why they feel the way they do and to make changes that can improve their mental health.

Overall, psychodynamic psychotherapy is a way for people to get help for their emotional and mental health by talking to someone who is very good at listening and helping them understand why they feel the way they do. The therapist and patient will work together to explore the patient's thoughts and feelings, gain insight into their past experiences, and make positive changes for the future.