Goethe once wrote that "[o]ne never goes so far as when one doesn't know where one is going." In many...
Read MorePsychodynamic Therapist Vancouver & Online
Serving Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver and BC-wide. Learn about psychodynamic therapy and book a consultation to discuss your options.
Vancouver Therapist Offering Tailored Support
Dr. Bradley Murray, Psychoanalyst and Psychodynamic Therapist, RCC, FIPA
I am a psychoanalyst and Registered Clinical Counsellor based on the North Shore who works with individuals in online therapy in greater Vancouver and throughout BC. In my practice, I commonly work with young adults, middle-aged adults, university and college students, organizational leaders and executives, and healthcare professionals. I look forward to hearing from you if you are interested in starting therapy or psychoanalysis.
I created this website to help clients learn about the psychodynamic approach and start therapy, and to help students and professionals enhance their professional education.
Greater Vancouver Therapy Services
Many Vancouver residents find insight-oriented psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapy appealing. These approaches to therapy can help people better cope with the stresses of urban life, foster personal growth and healing, and yield deeper self-understanding. These are some of the services and concerns that my practice specializes in.
Common Goals and Benefits of Psychodynamic Therapy for Vancouver Residents
Work to understand and address psychological symptoms
Unaddressed depression, anxiety, stress, and other types of emotional distress can reduce life and satisfaction. These have also been found to be correlated with physical health problems.
Increasing self-knowledge
Getting to know ourselves better includes reflecting on how our past influences our present lives, getting to know longstanding personality traits, becoming familiar with fears that have been holding back progress, and figuring out what we most want in our lives.
Reflecting on relationships
Many people benefit from taking some time to think about their relationships, exploring themes such as closeness, distance, trust, and communication.
Self-expression
People often find that developing the capacity to talk freely and openly over the course of a therapy process can help them gain comfort exercising creativity and self-expression in various other areas of their lives.
Choosing a Therapist
There are many different types of talk therapy being offered today. This can make it feel confusing to know what...
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The Efficacy of Psychotherapy
Therapy can be a helpful approach to addressing various problems.
Read MoreClient Experiences of Psychodynamic Therapy
Everyone is different, and some people will find themselves especially drawn to psychodynamic therapy. A study in the journal Psychotherapy Research found that clients who most appreciate psychodynamic therapy are drawn to several features of this approach.
Psychodynamic therapy aims to help people gain insight through exploration, so they can understand themselves better than before
It seeks to help individuals develop a more coherent life story
It aims to help people foster self-acceptance through understanding
Online and Telephone Psychodynamic Therapy and Psychoanalysis in Vancouver and BC-wide
Many people in Greater Vancouver and throughout BC are juggling busy schedules these days. This can make it difficult to attend regular weekly in-person therapy appointments. Also, there are many BC residents who do not live near a psychodynamic therapist or psychoanalyst. If in-person therapy would be a challenge for you, the flexibility of online therapy may be a good choice for you.
Discuss Your Options
A 10-minute consultation allows us to discuss your concerns and ways therapy may help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psychodynamic Therapy
Answers to help you get started.
Psychodynamic therapy is a form of depth psychology that focuses on unconscious processes as they are manifested in a person's present behavior. It helps individuals understand the influence of the past on their current emotions and relationships.
The therapy works by exploring feelings, thoughts, and past experiences in a safe, supportive environment. This helps individuals gain insight into their emotional difficulties, leading to personal growth and healing.
Psychodynamic therapy can be beneficial for a range of issues including depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, trauma, and personality-level concerns.
The duration can vary widely, but therapy is often more long-term than some other forms of therapy, depending on the individual’s needs and concerns.
Sessions are structured in ways that are likely to meet an individual's needs. As the process develops and deepens, sessions typically foster your ability to discuss your thoughts and feelings freely. It is common to explore your childhood experiences and significant life events that may be affecting your current mindset.
Yes, there is a substantial body of research indicating that psychodynamic therapy can be effective for various concerns, often showing lasting benefits after treatment ends.
While CBT focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors, psychodynamic therapy seeks to uncover underlying emotional issues and unconscious motivations, aiming to address root causes.
Book a Consultation
Get started with a 10-minute consultation to discuss your concerns.
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Psychodynamic Therapy Vancouver: Ideas and Updates
Many Vancouver residents looking for a therapist feel overwhelmed by the wide range of therapies practiced by local therapists. Psychodynamic therapy can be worth considering for anyone facing emotions and recurring patterns in their life that detract from their happiness and life satisfaction.
In a world in which we are often encouraged to focus on things that are superficial and on the surface, psychodynamic therapy invites us to explore deeper aspects of ourselves.
This includes a focus on unconscious aspects of ourselves. Unprocessed and unresolved situations from our past can lead us to have feelings and reactions in the present that we may not fully understand. These can lead to emotional suffering and dissatisfying relationships.
The therapeutic relationship is important in psychodynamic therapy. It is used as a tool to help uncover unconscious factors and move towards healing. The therapeutic relationship is grounded in a non-judgmental stance as you and the psychodynamic therapist work to reflect on deeper aspects of yourself and your life.
If you live in Vancouver or in another area of BC and you are curious to learn more about psychodynamic therapy, you can read more about this approach here.
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