Psychodynamic Therapy in New York City Today
Psychodynamic therapy is the modern term for what many people still call psychoanalysis. The foundational insights remain the same—that our current struggles are connected to past experiences, relationship patterns, and processes outside our awareness—but the approach has evolved. Today's psychodynamic therapy is collaborative, relational, and adaptive. It's not about lying on a couch four times a week, though some people still choose that. It's about developing genuine insight into why you keep repeating the same patterns, and using that understanding to create lasting change.
At Dr. Kull & Associates, our therapists have advanced training in contemporary psychodynamic and relational approaches. We offer this work in-person at our Columbus Circle office and online throughout New York State.
Psychodynamic Therapy vs. Psychoanalysis
The terms are related but distinct. Psychoanalysis is the original framework—a formal, intensive process, typically three to five sessions per week, often on the couch. It remains the deepest form of this work.
Psychodynamic therapy applies the same principles more flexibly. It can be once or twice weekly, sitting face-to-face, adapted to fit modern lives while maintaining its commitment to understanding the unconscious, exploring relationship patterns, and addressing root causes rather than symptoms. You get depth without rigidity.
What Makes This Approach Different
Most therapies treat symptoms directly: you're anxious, here are coping skills. Psychodynamic therapy asks different questions. Why are you anxious? What does the anxiety protect you from? What relationship patterns or early experiences set this up? When we understand the pattern—not just the symptom—change becomes possible at a deeper level.
In relational psychodynamic therapy, which most of our therapists practice, the relationship between you and your therapist isn't backdrop—it's central to the work itself. How you relate to your therapist often mirrors how you relate to others. When we notice those patterns as they happen in the room, we can understand them in ways that talking about them abstractly never quite reaches.
This is collaborative, not hierarchical. Your therapist isn't an expert dispensing advice—they're a real person engaging with you authentically, noticing what emerges between you, helping you make sense of it together.
What to Expect
In session, you talk about what's on your mind—current struggles, relationships, memories, dreams, whatever feels important. Your therapist listens for patterns, themes, and what might be happening beneath the surface. They ask questions, make observations, and offer interpretations—not as pronouncements but as invitations to explore together.
Over time, you start to see what you couldn't see before. You develop more compassion for yourself, understanding why you are the way you are rather than simply judging yourself for it. Change happens gradually, sometimes imperceptibly, until one day you realize you don't do that thing anymore.
How long this takes depends on your goals. Some people do meaningful short-term work over six months to a year. Others continue for several years because the process is rich and they want to keep going. There's no fixed timeline—you and your therapist decide together what makes sense.
Who This Works For
This approach suits people who are tired of surface-level solutions, who keep repeating the same patterns in relationships or work and want to understand why, who are curious about themselves and willing to invest time and emotional energy into real change. It works well for depression that won't lift, anxiety that doesn't respond to coping skills, relationship struggles, identity questions, trauma, grief, and existential concerns.
It's also a good fit for people in creative fields, those who've been in therapy before and want something deeper, and anyone who finds insight-oriented work intuitively appealing.
Our Approach
Our psychodynamic work is relational—we emphasize mutuality, authenticity, and the co-created nature of the therapeutic relationship. Your therapist isn't a blank screen. They bring their own subjectivity into the room, and that's part of what makes the work powerful.
While our foundation is psychodynamic, we integrate other approaches when useful. Some therapists incorporate attachment theory, somatic work, or trauma-informed practices. The core is depth; the application is flexible.
We understand that identity—sexual orientation, gender, race, class, culture—shapes experience. Many of our therapists specialize in LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy, and all are trained to work with cultural sensitivity and awareness.
Dr. Ryan Kull, who founded and supervises the practice, has over 25 years of experience in psychodynamic psychotherapy and completed his psychoanalytic training at NYU's Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis.
Common Questions
Do I have to lie on a couch? Not unless you want to. Most clients sit face-to-face. The couch is optional and mostly used in formal psychoanalysis.
Is it just talking about childhood? Sometimes—because early experiences shape us. But we're equally interested in the present: current relationships, how you feel in the therapy room, what's happening in your life now. The past informs the present; we explore both.
What if I don't remember my childhood well? That's common, and often meaningful. We work with what you do remember, what you feel, and what shows up in current patterns. You don't need perfect recall.
Will my therapist stay silent and mysterious? No. Relational therapists are engaged, responsive, and present. They share observations, ask questions, and participate actively.
Does insurance cover this? Many of our therapists accept Aetna and UnitedHealthcare in-network. We provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement with other insurers.
Getting Started
Book a free 15-minute consultation to talk with one of our therapists and see if this approach feels right. No pressure—just a conversation.
Dr. Kull & Associates 330 West 58th Street, Suite 401 New York, NY 10019 (646) 553-1868
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Insurance: Aetna, UnitedHealthcare (in-network); out-of-network superbills available Location: In-person at Columbus Circle or online throughout New York State Fees: $185–$325 per session, varies by therapist