In psychodynamic psychotherapy, you will not be given homework or worksheets. Why?

An important goal of psychodynamic therapy is to foster deep insight and transformation. This change takes place through the therapeutic relationship. Psychodynamic psychotherapy looks at emotions and relational patterns that show up naturally during the sessions (through ‘transference’). The therapy process identifies recurring themes and attempts at avoiding distressing thoughts/feelings. In therapy, hidden, long-suppressed unconscious conflicts eventually emerge so that they can be identified and worked through, with the therapeutic relationship supporting this process. In this way, by addressing the root cause of symptoms such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, compulsive thoughts/behaviors, etc., we find that such symptoms naturally fade away as therapy progresses.

In contrast, therapies such as CBT (cognitive behavior therapy) and DBT (dialectical behavior therapy) use homework and worksheets to reinforce skills, track behavioral changes, or challenge specific thoughts outside of therapy. These techniques have the capacity to reduce symptoms and also to a certain extent, address underlying cognitive distortions and maladaptive behaviors. Aaron Beck (founder of CBT) himself was a psychoanalytically trained therapist and analytic concepts are seen intergrated into the CBT process (especially the so-called ‘third-wave’ approaches). Increasingly, we see that not only CBT but also other 3rd-wave therapies such as ACT, schema therapy and mindfulness-based CBT have found value in psychodynamic concepts by addressing avoidence, defence mechanisms and emotion regulation.

In conclusion, we could say that psychodynamic psychotherapy treats the cause and not the symptoms directly…even though the client reaches out to alleviate the symptoms as this is what is causing the distress in the here and now. Psychodynamic psychotherapy digs deeper and offers the patient an opportunity to look at their innermost fears and desires, bring them up to the surface so that they can be dealt with and healed. Therapy facilitates enduring (long-term) changes in personality, relationships, and emotional understanding. These benefits very much extends beyond symptom suppression. Such healing brings about greater freedom and an expanded capacity to think about life and relationships.