Psychodynamic Psychology
Psychodynamic Psychology is a podcast dedicated to exploring psychodynamic theory, influential books, and the ideas that shape the field. Host Alina creates a relaxed space to nerd out about psychoanalytic and psychodynamic concepts in depth. Episodes discuss theoretical texts and the thinkers behind them, rather than offering self-help or clinical advice. It is aimed at listeners who already have some interest in psychology and want a deeper, more ideas-focused conversation.
Episodes
Addiction to Near-Death - Masochism in "Kleinian" by Betty Joseph
We bring back Betty Joseph to deliver again: Addiction to Near-Death. Another paper that makes understanding Kleinian theory worth it (in my opinion). Joseph describes and explains a specific form a masochism through a Kleinian lense.👀 WAITLIST for Melanie Klein Course → https://psychodynamicpsychology.myflodesk.com/melanie-klein-waitlist🟡 Instagram → https://instagram.com/psychodynamicpsychologyT
Object Relations in Clinical Practice - Betty Joseph
Object relations theory... sure. But what about object relations in PRACTICE? Enter Betty Joseph and a 17-page paper (digestible psychodynamic literature for once). In proper Kleinian fashion, she lays out how projection (and projective identification) in the transference can help understand how object relations come alive in the session.👀 WAITLIST for Melanie Klein Course → https://psychodynamicp
Freud Never Said ‘Ego’ (and Other Mistranslations) | German for Psychoanalysts
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/newsletter
5 Books That Influenced How I Think About Psychodynamic Theory and Practice in 2025
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📖 Books
If I Had to Start Over Studying Psychoanalysis, I’d Read These 3 Books
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/3WGLYWUBook #2 → https://amzn.to/47tCx3nBook #3 → https://amzn.to/4ouySZ9💌 Psychodynamic Newsletter → https://psychodynamicpsychology.comTIMESTAMPS01:05 Book #104:59 Book #208:48 Book #3DISCLAIMER: The
Anna Freud: Altruism as a Defense
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/467LwH9TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction01:16 Anna Freud02:27 Defens
Anna Freud: Identification with the Aggressor
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/newsletterCORRECTION at 08:25: the term Anna Freud uses is not "acting out (=Ausagieren) aggression" but "a
How to Read Karen Horney
👀 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/3XOMuSOBook #2: https://amzn.to/470yo55Book #3: htt
Screen Hunger, Eternal Dilettante, Narcissism of Minor Differences | Salman Akhtar's Dictionary
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://ps
Psychoanalytic Diagnosis (and Why It Matters) | Nancy McWilliams
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
What I Read in December 2024 (as a Psychoanalyst in Training): Karen Horney, Thomas Ogden, and more
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/psych
Best (Psychodynamic) Books of 2024 | What I Read as a Psychoanalyst in Training
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 +
What I Read (as a Psychoanalyst in Training) | Oedipus Complex, Fairbairn, Karen Horney...
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
Reading Fairbairn, Solms, and Fromm | What I Read in August 2024 (Psychodynamic Edition)
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 upda
The Neuropsychology of Dreams | Mark Solms and Neuropsychoanalysis
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 psychodynamic
Psychodynamic Books I Read in July
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)
Christ
Melanie Klein: The Paranoid-Schizoid and Depressive Position
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 gr
On Feeling Behind in Life
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.
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What is Psychodynamic Psychology? (Beyond Psychotherapy + Freud)
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 book cl
Subconscious vs. Unconscious
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 newsletter i
Psychoanalyzing Dwight Schrute (a psychodynamic case study)
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
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