Psychodynamic Research
About
What we are about
Psychodynamic therapy is a unique approach that explores the understanding and treatment of conscious and unconscious processes and emotional dynamics that shape human behavior, emotions, and relationships.
​The “psychodynamic research website” is an international platform that informs researchers, therapists, patients and other stakeholders about the current state of research on psychodynamic concepts and treatments.
The website is open to diverse methodological approaches including both qualitative and quantitative research.
An Introduction
The term psychodynamic was introduced after World War II at a conference on medical education and used as a synonym for psychoanalytic. The essence of psychoanalysis lies in the interpersonal process, not the frequency of sessions or the use of a couch. Psychoanalysis focuses on understanding unconscious mental life, inner conflicts, and adaptive psychological solutions that may no longer serve us. It emphasizes how much of our thinking and feeling occurs outside of conscious awareness, often influenced by things we unconsciously avoid recognizing due to discomfort or threat. By exploring these patterns, psychoanalytic therapy helps individuals become more mindful of their present experience, fostering greater freedom and choice.
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Psychodynamic Theory: An Introduction
Why we need more research
Psychodynamic therapy (PDT) has gained substantial empirical support, yet critical gaps in research remain, particularly for conditions such as PTSD, addictions, schizophrenia, and various disorders in children and adolescents. Further studies, including RCTs, naturalistic studies, and process-outcome research, are essential to refine the evidence base, narrow confidence intervals, and clarify the active ingredients of PDT. Our mission is to foster high-quality, diverse research that addresses these gaps and ensures PDT's continued development and relevance in clinical practice.
Find relevant research
Both the available evidence and open questions of research that need to be addressed in the future are presented. The website is open to different areas of research, including:
Basic Research
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Research on neurobiological underpinnings of psychodynamic therapy
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Research on developmental psychology from a psychodynamic perspective
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Research on personality from a psychodynamic perspective
Research on Psychodynamic Diagnostics
Research on Psychodynamic Therapy
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Outcome research
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Process research
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Qualitative research
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Treatment manuals of psychodynamic therapy
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Ongoing studies
Others
About the history
Psychoanalysis was established in the early 1890s by the neurologist Sigmund Freud. Based on psychoanalytic theory, models of shorter-term psychodynamic therapy were developed. Psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapy encompass a set of theories of mental organization and a variety of therapeutic techniques for the treatment of mental disorders and problems. Since the early times of psychoanalysis, psychoanalytic and psychodynamic theory and technique have undergone considerable developments described below.
The Editorial Board
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Prof. em. Dr. Falk Leichsenring
Prof. Dr. Christiane Steinert
Prof. Dr. Patrick Luyten
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