At a time when quick-fix, oversimplifying approaches to addressing psychological struggles are rampant, I would like to summarize some psychodynamic perspectives on depression, to inform the reader about a depth-oriented alternative. Many stereotypes and myths have been attached to this form of treatment, and some consider it obsolete or unscientific. Nevertheless, it is my personal and professional experience that this way of working produces deep and rich results, and can penetrate barriers that may be insurmountable to other therapeutic approaches.

Since the beginning of the 2020’s, the world has experienced a global pandemic as well as deadly wars. As these words are being written, many are going through extreme pain, deprivation, fear, and despair. It is becoming increasingly hard to digest how much aggression our (human) race is capable of, and how vulnerable and fragile we really are.