Focal Psychodynamic Therapy

What is Focal Psychodynamic Therapy?

Focal-Dynamic Psychotherapy is a psychodynamic-oriented individual treatment with an evidence base for adults with Anorexia Nervosa. It focuses on understanding how early experiences, emotional patterns, and unconscious conflicts contribute to eating disorder symptoms today. The aim is to gain insight into underlying emotional and psychological issues that contribute to disordered eating behaviours.

The program is divided into three phases (initial, middle, closure), with treatment centred around specific areas as determined from an initial interview. Intervention is based on addressing often largely unconscious symptomatic, maladaptive relationship patterns, central life-threatening conflict themes, and challenges related to the “structure” or aspects of personality. Focal-Dynamic Psychotherapy intends to support people to reduce eating disorder symptoms and re-establish autonomy and personal responsibility through addressing eating-disorder related beliefs, self-esteem issues and depression, as well as body image and working with the family.

How long could Focal Psychodynamic Therapy treatment take?

Focal psychodynamic therapy progresses as the identified areas of challenge (foci) change and resolve, over approximately 40 to 50 sessions.