Past is Present

Addressing the past

The psychodynamic approach pays considerable attention to the past, particularly childhood influences. For many people ignoring the past and moving on is a habitual way of coping with life. Unfortunately they may get to a point where they realise they are repeating the same patterns again and again. These patterns can only be fully understood by looking backwards to understand their often complex origins.

The psychotherapeutic setting is an opportunity to take time to take stock and observe life from a wider perspective. It can be a tremendous gift to be able to spend time remembering our formative years, to really allow the memories to surface, both joyful and painful. Such an approach allows us to look at our most basic patterns of relating and being and in so doing gain insights into our current functioning and thus gain more awareness of ourselves and enables us to make different and more satisfying life choices.