A recent essay titled “Psychodynamic Nonsense” claims that psychodynamic therapy is unscientific, ineffective, and even harmful. While the author, Niklas Serning, raises valid concerns about outdated practices and poorly applied techniques, his sweeping dismissal of psychodynamic therapy overlooks decades of research, clinical wisdom, and enduring success stories.

In reality, psychodynamic therapy — rooted in the work of Freud, Carl Jung, Nancy McWilliams, and contemporary thinkers like Salman Akhtar — offers profound insights into the human psyche that remain essential in understanding and addressing mental health struggles.

Let’s address some of the essay’s key claims and examine what both science and experience actually tell us.

1. “Psychodynamic Therapy Lacks Scientific Support” — False

Critics claim that psychodynamic therapy lacks evidence. This myth ignores extensive research showing that psychodynamic therapy is effective — often producing longer-lasting benefits than short-term interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

In a landmark meta-analysis, psychologist Jonathan Shedler demonstrated that psychodynamic therapy significantly improves mental health, often with results that strengthen over time. Shedler emphasized that this enduring change occurs because psychodynamic therapy focuses not just on symptom reduction, but on the deeper emotional patterns that shape our lives.

Psychoanalytic expert Nancy McWilliams similarly emphasizes that psychodynamic therapy is particularly effective for people with complex, long-standing issues such as chronic anxiety, personality disorders, or unresolved grief. By uncovering unconscious conflicts and relational patterns, psychodynamic therapy helps clients break cycles that superficial interventions often miss.

2. “Childhood Experiences Don’t Really Matter” — Misleading

The essay’s claim that childhood experiences have little impact on adult mental health is a dangerous oversimplification. While genetics undoubtedly play a role in personality development, the suggestion that early experiences are irrelevant ignores robust evidence from developmental psychology and trauma research.

Sigmund Freud’s pioneering work illuminated the lasting impact of childhood dynamics, emphasizing how unresolved early conflicts can shape adult mental health. Modern research supports this — the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study revealed a strong correlation between childhood trauma and long-term psychological and physical health risks.

Nancy McWilliams argues that overlooking early experiences is like ignoring the roots of a tree when trying to understand its growth. Childhood patterns influence how we relate to others, respond to stress, and build self-esteem. Denying this link risks invalidating the struggles of those whose early experiences shaped their current challenges.

3. “Exploring Emotions Just Amplifies Distress” — Misguided

Critics argue that psychodynamic therapy encourages patients to dwell on painful emotions. This mischaracterizes the true goal of emotional exploration.

Psychodynamic therapy doesn’t simply invite people to “stew” in their pain. Instead, as Carl Jung emphasized, emotional growth requires confronting and integrating our shadow — the unconscious aspects of ourselves that we often ignore or suppress.

For example, in treating anxiety or depression, uncovering underlying feelings of shame, grief, or anger is crucial for meaningful change. Salman Akhtar’s work highlights that true healing happens when patients can explore these emotions in a structured, supportive environment — not when they are left to ruminate without guidance.

In child therapy, techniques like symbolic play and storytelling help children express emotions safely, fostering resilience rather than reinforcing distress.

4. “Psychodynamic Therapy Encourages Blame” — Untrue

Another misconception is that psychodynamic therapy encourages clients to blame their parents or remain stuck in victimhood. This is a distortion of what effective therapy achieves.

As Nancy McWilliams highlights, psychodynamic therapy helps clients understand their past without being imprisoned by it. By developing insight into how early relationships shaped their coping strategies, clients gain the freedom to change. Effective therapy promotes accountability — not blame.

Psychodynamic therapists often emphasize compassion — helping clients recognize their parents’ limitations, cultural pressures, and even inherited emotional struggles. Rather than deepening resentment, this fosters empathy and forgiveness.

5. “Psychodynamic Therapy Is Western-Centric” — Inaccurate

The essay critiques psychodynamic therapy as culturally narrow. Yet therapists like Salman Akhtar have demonstrated that psychodynamic ideas can be adapted to diverse cultural frameworks.

In The Crescent and the Couch, Akhtar explores how psychoanalysis can integrate with Islamic values, family roles, and spiritual practices. Similarly, Carl Jung’s exploration of archetypes found parallels in Eastern traditions, mythology, and indigenous belief systems — proving that psychodynamic insights are deeply relevant across cultures.

In short, psychodynamic therapy is flexible, adaptable, and inherently curious about the diverse ways humans experience emotion, identity, and connection.

6. “Psychodynamic Therapy Causes Harm” — Misrepresented

The essay correctly notes that some clients deteriorate in therapy — but this risk exists in all forms of treatment, from CBT to medication. Harm is more often the result of therapist incompetence than the method itself.

Effective psychodynamic therapy emphasizes strong boundaries, therapist self-awareness, and the careful management of countertransference — key safeguards against harm.

As Freud famously warned, therapy that lacks proper containment risks overwhelming patients. Skilled psychodynamic therapists know that timing, pacing, and rapport are critical in ensuring that exploration of painful emotions leads to growth — not retraumatization.

7. “Letting Go of Theory Makes Me a Better Therapist” — Dangerous Thinking

The essay’s author claims that abandoning psychodynamic theory made him a better therapist. But effective therapy isn’t about rejecting theory — it’s about using theory thoughtfully.

As Nancy McWilliams emphasizes, sound theory is like a compass: it guides the therapist while still leaving room for intuition, flexibility, and collaboration with the client. Letting go of foundational insights risks turning therapy into a well-meaning but haphazard conversation — one that may miss the deeper psychological patterns at play.

Psychodynamic theory doesn’t require therapists to rigidly analyze dreams or dwell on childhood memories. Instead, it offers a roadmap for understanding how unconscious dynamics shape identity, emotions, and relationships.

Conclusion: Psychodynamic Therapy Is Far From “Nonsense”

The essay’s sweeping dismissal of psychodynamic therapy as outdated “nonsense” ignores the rich insights that figures like Freud, Jung, Nancy McWilliams, and Salman Akhtar have contributed to the field.

Psychodynamic therapy’s power lies in its capacity to reach beneath surface symptoms, helping people uncover the deeper narratives that shape their lives. It doesn’t simply teach coping skills — it creates profound and lasting change.

In Akhtar’s words, true healing doesn’t happen by avoiding emotions or rejecting the past. It happens by courageously exploring the inner world — transforming old wounds into new strength.

Psychodynamic therapy remains one of the most powerful tools for self-discovery, growth, and meaningful change. Dismissing it as “nonsense” is not just misleading — it risks denying people access to the very insights that could help them heal.