Psychodynamic Therapy in Newport Beach, CA
Real Healing Through Deeper Understanding
At Redeemed Mental Health, we know not every struggle can be solved with surface-level fixes. That’s why we offer psychodynamic therapy—a deep, honest approach to healing that gets to the root of your emotional pain.
While tools like cognitive behavioral therapy are great for changing day-to-day habits, psychodynamic psychotherapy is about digging deeper. It’s about uncovering what’s driving those thoughts and behaviors in the first place—especially when patterns keep repeating and nothing else seems to stick.
What Is Psychodynamic Therapy?
Psychodynamic therapy comes from psychoanalytic theory, but it’s more flexible and down-to-earth than the old image of lying on a couch talking about your dreams. At its core, psychodynamic therapy focuses on helping you understand how your past—especially early relationships and experiences—still affects the way you think, feel, and act today.
If you’ve ever thought, “Why do I keep doing this, even when I don’t want to?”—this is the kind of therapy that can help answer that.
How Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Works at Redeemed
Our psychodynamic therapists work with you in a one-on-one setting, building a strong client-therapist relationship that’s built on trust, honesty, and compassion. The therapeutic relationship is a big part of the work—it’s a mirror that helps you understand your emotions and patterns in real time.
You won’t just be talking about your week. You’ll be exploring old wounds, defense mechanisms, and buried emotions that are quietly steering the wheel. Our therapists are trained to help you notice the things you’ve learned to avoid—and face them with courage and support.
Short-Term and Long-Term Psychodynamic Therapy Options
We offer both brief psychodynamic therapy and long term psychodynamic therapy, depending on what you need. Some clients benefit from short term psychodynamic psychotherapy, which typically lasts a few months and focuses on a specific issue. Others need longer to unravel complex emotional struggles that have built up over years.
Whether you’re dealing with depression, trauma, relationship issues, or borderline personality disorder, we’ll meet you where you’re at.
Psychodynamic Therapy vs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
A lot of people ask: What’s the difference between psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (or cognitive behavior therapy, as it’s sometimes called)?
Here’s the straight answer: CBT focuses on fixing current problems by changing thought and behavior patterns. Psychodynamic psychotherapy, on the other hand, looks at the emotional roots of those patterns. It’s not about a quick fix—it’s about lasting change.
If CBT is about changing the way you think, psychodynamic therapy is about understanding why you think that way in the first place.
What Makes Psychodynamic Therapy at Redeemed Different?
We’re not a massive, impersonal facility. Redeemed is locally owned and led by Dr. Andrea Wagner, a licensed psychologist and clinician with a passion for helping people live free, meaningful lives. Our psychodynamic therapists aren’t just checking boxes—they’re invested in your long-term well-being.
You’ll never be rushed, judged, or pushed into a one-size-fits-all program. We tailor your care based on what you need, not just what’s trending in the therapy world. And if brief psychodynamic work is enough? We’ll say so. If you need something deeper and more ongoing, we’ll be with you every step of the way.
Start Healing from the Inside Out
You don’t have to keep repeating the same patterns or carrying old pain around like a weight on your back. Whether you’re interested in brief psychodynamic therapy, long term psychodynamic therapy, or want to explore how this compares to cognitive behavioral therapy, our team at Redeemed Mental Health is here to walk that path with you.
Let’s stop putting band-aids on deep wounds. Let’s do the real work—and find real relief.
Reach out today to schedule a confidential consultation with one of our experienced psychodynamic therapists in Newport Beach.
Frequently Asked Questions about Psychodynamic Therapy at Redeemed Mental Health
What happens during psychodynamic therapy sessions?
During therapy sessions, you’ll work one-on-one with a trained psychodynamic therapist who helps you explore deeper emotional patterns. These sessions focus on identifying unconscious thoughts, unresolved conflicts, and past experiences that may still be influencing your behavior today. Each session is a safe space for reflection, emotional insight, and personal growth.
How does psychodynamic therapy help with mental health conditions?
Psychodynamic therapy is highly effective for a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship struggles, and even personality disorders. It works by helping you understand the emotional roots of your symptoms, not just managing surface-level behaviors. This deeper insight can lead to lasting change and improved overall well-being.
What therapeutic techniques are used in psychodynamic therapy?
Our psychodynamic therapists use a variety of therapeutic techniques, including free association, interpretation of defense mechanisms, exploration of early life experiences, and a strong focus on the patient therapist relationship. These tools are used to uncover unconscious patterns that may be holding you back emotionally or relationally.
What does it mean to approach therapy from a psychodynamic perspective?
Taking a psychodynamic perspective means understanding that current issues are often rooted in past experiences. Rather than just treating symptoms, this approach looks at the emotional and relational history behind them. It’s a deeper form of healing that helps you connect the dots between your past and present so you can move forward more freely.
