Psychodynamic Psychology

Let's dissect what went wrong in the English translation of Freud’s original German writing. I'll talk about the German words Freud actually used, their deeper meaning, and pronunciation. 💌 I also send out a psychodynamic newsletter 1-2x per month where I share more about what I read and learn behind the scenes. You can sign up here → https://psychodynamicpsychology.myflodesk.com/newslett...

There were 5 books that had the biggest impact on my growth as a clinician in 2025. Some helped me improve my psychodynamic thinking. Others helped me gain an even deeper appreciation of the field (not that I needed that but a little extra never hurts). All of them made me excited about what there still is to learn. 💌 Psychodynamic Newsletter → https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/newsletter 📖 Bo...

If you want to get a solid foundation in psychodynamic psychology, here are three books I'd put together into apersonal curriculum. 📖 Books mentioned (Amazon affiliate links) Book #1 → https://amzn.to/3WGLYWU Book #2 → https://amzn.to/47tCx3n Book #3 → https://amzn.to/4ouySZ9 💌 Psychodynamic Newsletter → https://psychodynamicpsychology.com TIMESTAMPS 01:05 Book #1 04:59 Book #2 08:48 Book #3 DIS...

Anna Freud explores how altruism can be used to fend off anxiety (and fulfil "forbidden" wishes), with her interesting exploration of Altruism as a Defense. 💌 Psychodynamic Newsletter → https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/newsletter 📖 Books mentioned (Amazon affiliate link) The Ego and the Mechanisms of Defense: https://amzn.to/467LwH9 TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 01:16 Anna Freud 02:...

This is an introduction to Anna Freud's concept of the Identification with the Aggressor (from her book The Ego and the Mechanisms of Defence). For more book recommendations and deep-dives into psychodynamic theory join my newsletter 💌 → https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/newsletter CORRECTION at 08:25: the term Anna Freud uses is not "acting out (=Ausagieren) aggression" but &quot...

👀 Curious about Karen Horney? My workshop is your shortcut to understand her core ideas (distilled from 2,000+ pages of her writing) including basic anxiety, neurotic trends, idealized self, tyranny of the shoulds, and more… in 150 minutes: https://karen-horney.teachery.co/checkout 📖 Books mentioned (Amazon affiliate links) Book #1: https://amzn.to/3XOMuSO Book #2: https://amzn.to/470yo55 Book #...

Psychoanalysis is full of weird ideas, some are weird in a good way and some... well... see for yourself. In this video I take you along as I browse through Salman Akhtar's masterpiece the "Comprehensive Dictionary of Psychoanalysis" and *ramble* through how I discover and study three random new concepts as a psychoanalyst in training. 💌 Psychodynamic Library + Newsletter → https://...

If I could only recommend one book to every psychodynamic psychotherapist (in training), this would be it: Psychoanalytic Diagnosis - Understanding Personality Structure in the Clinical Process by Nancy McWilliams. It’s a masterpiece that you shouldn’t miss in your own library to improve your clinical knowledge and practice. 📖 Get the book (Amazon affiliate link) → https://amzn.to/4hkDwF3 🎥 Vide...

In this ongoing series of “What I Read” I hope to help you find interesting new books to discover (and at least sometimes understand) the great minds and ideas of psychoanalysis. Here is what I read in December 2024 as a psychoanalyst in training. 💌 NEWSLETTER: Get my Psychodynamic Library → https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/newsletter 🤳 INSTAGRAM: Casual updates → https://instagram.com/psycho...

Here are my favourite psychodynamic books and articles out of 4200+ pages I read in 2024 (as a psychoanalyst in training). Each of them allowed me to dive into another great mind, theory, or contribution of psychoanalysis. 🎥 Watch the video version here on YouTube: ⁠https://youtu.be/sRsfqNkNwBo⁠ 💌 Psychodynamic Library + newsletter → https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/newsletter 🤳 Instagram +...

This is another rambly (video) podcast episode, where I share 5 niche psychodynamic/psychoanalytic articles and books I read in the last two months. In case you look to discover what to read next as a psychodynamic psychotherapist in traning, this might be interesting for you. Thematically they ranged from the Oedipus complex, to Fairbairn, solid introductions into psychoanalytic psychotherapy, an...

As a (beginning) psychodynamic practitioner, you know you should read more. But where to start and what is worth your time? Maybe I can help. If you're new here: Hi! My name is Alina, I'm a German psychologist and psychoanalyst in training. I dive into psychodynamic books for a living and try to simplify complex theories whenever I can. 💌 Newsletter: Get my psychodynamic library and updat...

Neuroscience and psychoanalysis seem like an odd pair. But they are not - at least to Mark Solms, the founder of Neuropsychoanalysis. In his book "The Hidden Spring", he summarises his fascinating findings on the neuropsychology of dreams and much more. This episode is NOT sponsored! 📖 Get the book here → https://amzn.to/3SB7tqg (Amazon affiliate link) 💌 Newsletter: Get my psychodynami...

Are you a beginning psychodynamic practitioner looking for books to read? Welcome to your new home on the internet. I'm Alina, a German psychoanalyst in training and I love psychodynamic literature. So let me help you finding your next favourite read. In this podcast episode I reflect on four books I read in July: Adam Phillips: Attention-Seeking | Get it here (Amazon Affiliate link) Christoph...

Who's afraid of Melanie Klein? Well, hopefully not you after this episode. We talk about Melanie Klein's ideas surrounding the life and death instinct, the paranoid-schizoid position, and depressive position. This is the audio version from the YouTube video, which I recommend watching for helpful graphics here: https://youtu.be/DnT8o1DF0VE 💌 Melanie Klein First Aid Kit: Get my notes and g...

If you're a millennial, you've likely experienced a feeling of being "behind in life" or a "fear of missing out". While most takes on this phenomenon focus on cultural issues ("toxic hustle culture", patriarchy, workaholism), I would like to tentatively explore an underlying topic of self-alienation. This is a work in progress. 📚 Join my book club → Patreon:...

What is psychodynamic psychology? What does it have to offer beyond psychotherapy (and frankly beyond Freud)? This is what today's episode is all about! We'll cover that psychodynamic psychology is (1) a treatment modality, (2) a body of knowledge, aaaand (3) a set of values. So, lemme drop some juicy theories on you while we're at it 💁🏼‍♀️ I hope you enjoy this one 😊 📚 Join my boo...

Do we say "subconscious" or "unconscious"? Is there a difference? And is that difference important? Let me introduce you to my psychodynamic pet peeve and help you never sound psychodynamically-naive again. 💌 Join my newsletter: https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/newsletter 👀 My newest project  "The Psychodynamic Circle"  will be launching soon. Get on the newslett...

FACT. Dwight Schrute is our favourite The Office character. FACT. His favourite would be Michael Scott. FACT. He would never enter psychotherapy.... but today, we'll pretend he does 🤓 📚 Join my book club → Patreon: ⁠https://patreon.com/psychodynamicpsychology⁠ Feedback? Questions? Suggestions? Put 'em here: https://tally.so/r/w7LWZZ Thank you for listening! Alina