75 Psychodynamic Therapy Questions to Ask Clients in Therapy Sessions

Psychodynamic therapy was originally rooted in the understanding that unconscious thoughts, desires, and memories affect our behaviors. Over time, this approach has begun to focus on helping clients work through lingering conflicts to reduce their impact on personality characteristics and behaviors. Freud’s original concepts have been influenced by the work of Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, Anna Freud, Erik Erikson, Wilhelm Reich, and more. Keep reading to learn 75 Psychodynamic Therapy questions you can ask your clients in counseling sessions.

Important topics covered in psychodynamic therapy sessions include the unconscious mind, dream analysis, ego, object relations theory, transference, and countertransference. Additional topics include defense mechanisms and early childhood relationships that have shaped the development of a client’s personality.

Psychodynamic therapy is a long-term therapy option that can be used with clients who are struggling with anxiety, depression, and some personality disorders. Other conditions that have limited empirical support include Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), bulimia nervosa, cocaine addiction, and psychosis.

View all of our Psychodynamic Therapy Worksheets

Getting Ready for Your First Psychodynamic Therapy Session with a New Client

Before you begin working with a new client, you should review the duration and costs associated with this therapeutic approach. While this form of therapy tends to have higher costs than other therapeutic approaches, research has indicated that it’s slightly more effective than short-term therapies for mood and anxiety disorders.

Before you meet with a new client, it can be helpful to review the documentation that you have received so far. Depending on your setting, this can include self-assessments, referral paperwork, and completed intake assessments. This allows you to begin to understand your client’s presenting concern and goals so you can prepare for your session.

Worksheets can be a valuable tool in clinical sessions that can later serve as a reminder for clients of work that was done in therapy sessions. TherapyByPro is a valuable resource for mental health providers that has a range of customizable worksheets and other documents. Psychodynamic therapy worksheets that you may want to have on hand include:

• Psychodynamic Therapy Worksheets Bundle
• Psychodynamic Therapy Relationship Mapping Worksheet
• Psychodynamic Therapy Defense Mechanism Awareness Worksheet
• Psychodynamic Therapy Self-Reflection Worksheet
• Psychodynamic Therapy Free Association Worksheet

What Psychodynamic Therapy Questions Should I Ask In Sessions?

Psychodynamic therapy questions can be an effective tool to help your client uncover deep-rooted thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Your questions should be modified and adjusted to your client. You may find yourself focusing on a specific theme that could be connected to your client’s current mental health concerns. This can include topics like early childhood, family dynamics, attachment, defense mechanisms, relationships, and unconscious thoughts or dreams. Continue reading for ideas about what questions to ask in psychodynamic therapy sessions:

1. What can you tell me about your earliest memory?
2. How did male figures in your life show or express love and discipline?
3. Can you tell me about the important relationships with females in your life when you were younger?
4. With whom did you feel the safest as a child?
5. Would you say that emotions were expressed freely in your home as a child?
6. What role would you say you played in your family? This can include being a caretaker, rebel, and peacemaker.
7. Can you tell me how the adults in your life responded when you made mistakes?
8. Can you describe your relationships with your siblings?
9. Were there any unspoken rules or taboos in your home that were followed?
10. Can you tell me about how your caregivers handled anger and sadness?
11. Are there any separations from caregivers that stand out from your childhood?
12. What can you tell me about how your family handled grief and loss?
13. Would you say that you felt emotionally secure as a child?
14. Can you tell me how you cope when someone important disappoints or leaves you?
15. Can you tell me about a time when you felt abandoned?
16. Would you say that you’re able to trust others?
17. Are there any memories that you associate with feeling safe?
18. Was there a time in your childhood when you worried about being rejected?
19. Can you tell me about how you cope when you feel overwhelmed?
20. Are there any emotions that you tend to avoid?
21. Would you say this avoidance is intentional or unconscious?
22. Do you find that you put the needs of others before your own?
23. Can you tell me about the last time that you surprised yourself with your reaction to something?
24. Do you have hesitations or concerns about showing your vulnerability to others?
25. Have you noticed any repeated patterns within your relationships?
26. Are there any conflicts that you have noticed in more than one area of your life?
27. Have you found yourself feeling like you’re reliving the past?
28. Can you think of any behaviors that you swore you would never repeat, but have found yourself doing?
29. Can you think of a time when you self-sabotaged something in your life?
30. Have you noticed any recurring themes in your fantasies or dreams?
31. Can you tell me about how you express love and affection?
32. How comfortable are you with emotional intimacy?
33. How do you react when someone disappoints you?
34. Do you ever feel concerned about being too needy of others?
35. Are there any expectations that you believe others have of you?
36. How would you describe your true self?
37. Are there any parts of yourself that you hide?
38. How would you describe your self-worth?
39. Can you tell me about your self-esteem?
40. Can you think of an event or situation that affected your self-esteem?
41. Do you find yourself feeling guilty for things that are not your fault?
42. Are there any characteristics that you’re afraid of becoming?
43. Can you tell me about any recurring dreams or symbols in your life?
44. Do you think that your dreams are trying to tell you something?
45. Do you have any thoughts or impulses that scare you?
46. Can you tell me about any daydreams or fantasies that you have?
47. Are there any secrets that you keep?
48. Could there be a part of yourself that you’re unfamiliar with?
49. Are there any images or words that bring up strong emotional feelings for you?
50. Have you found yourself feeling like you were two different people?
51. Is there anything that you feel ashamed of?
52. Can you tell me about what makes you feel guilty?
53. Is there a part of yourself that you try to silence?
54. Can you think of any ways in which you try to punish yourself unconsciously?
55. What would self-forgiveness look like for you?
56.   What brings meaning to your life?
57. Is there something that you fear you will never accomplish?
58. What would you do differently if you didn’t experience fear?
59. What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
60. Are there any topics that you avoid bringing up in session?
61. What has surprised you about therapy so far?
62. Have you noticed any defenses coming up during sessions?
63. Can you think of ways in which your past is impacting your therapy sessions?
64. What does “healing” mean to you?
65. How would healing affect your future?
66. When do you feel as though you’re in control?
67. How do you feel when others are in control of a situation?
68. Can you think of any important relationships in which you felt powerless?
69. Can you tell me what it means to be independent?
70. What happens when you feel angry?
71. Have you ever felt afraid by the anger you experienced?
72. Have you received messages about being “too emotional”?
73. Is there anything that you have found yourself having a hard time saying out loud?
74. When in your life do you feel truly heard?
75. Are there any fantasies that make you feel ashamed or embarrassed?

Final Thoughts On Asking the Right Psychodynamic Therapy Questions in Sessions

We hope that our page on questions to ask clients for psychodynamic therapy has helped you think of various ways that you could incorporate into your therapy sessions. When used appropriately, this approach can help clients work through the underlying causes of their psychological distress. Helping clients bring their unconscious thoughts to conscious awareness allows them to increase their self-awareness and better understand themselves and their experiences.

Psychodynamic therapy can also encourage clients to express their emotions as they work to process and confront feelings that they may have been avoiding. With a strong therapeutic alliance, you can help your client safely move through their various treatment plan goals and objectives.

To learn more about psychodynamic therapy and how you can incorporate it into your clinical work, we encourage you to explore available continuing education and training opportunities within your clinical field. Supervision can be an invaluable tool when incorporating new approaches into your clinical work.

TherapyByPro is a trusted resource for mental health professionals worldwide. Our therapy tools are designed with one mission in mind: to save you time and help you focus on what truly matters-your clients. View all of our mental health worksheets here.

View all of our Psychodynamic Therapy Worksheets

Resources:

• Opland C, Torrico TJ. Psychodynamic Therapy. [Updated 2024 Sep 2]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK606117/ 

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