What It Means to Make the Unconscious Conscious

Jul 12

One of the most well-known ideas in psychodynamic therapy is the phrase “making the unconscious

conscious.” But what does that actually mean?

It doesn’t mean uncovering buried secrets or analyzing every dream. It’s about gently shining a light on the parts

of ourselves that we may not fully see—the emotional habits, fears, assumptions, and patterns we repeat

without quite knowing why.

These unconscious patterns are often the root of what brings people to therapy.

The unconscious isn’t some mysterious or separate part of the mind. It’s simply made up of the thoughts,

feelings, memories, and emotional experiences we’ve pushed out of awareness—usually because they were

painful, confusing, or overwhelming at the time.

These experiences still live in us. They can shape how we respond to others, how we protect ourselves, how we

feel in relationships, and how we interpret the world. We may not always realize it, but the past can quietly

influence our present in ways that feel automatic or puzzling.

You might notice yourself reacting strongly to a partner or withdrawing when you feel criticized. You might

constantly doubt yourself or sabotage things that are going well. You may feel stuck in patterns you don’t fully

understand.

These moments often have roots in earlier experiences. We may be repeating a familiar emotional script—one

that once helped us cope but no longer serves us.

Psychodynamic therapy helps us notice these patterns with curiosity, not judgment. The therapist and client

explore together—paying attention to recurring themes, emotional triggers, and relational dynamics that unfold

both inside and outside the therapy room.

As these unconscious patterns come into awareness, they begin to loosen. What was once automatic becomes

something we can feel, think about, and respond to with more choice and clarity.

Making the unconscious conscious allows us to step out of survival mode and into a deeper, more authentic

relationship with ourselves. It helps us stop living in reaction to old wounds and begin creating new, more

flexible ways of being.

Insight on its own isn’t everything. But when we pair it with compassion, safety, and emotional connection, it

can be truly transformative.

My name is Amber, and I’m a Master’s-level mental health counselor in training, practicing under supervision

at South Tampa Therapy. I offer warm, collaborative psychodynamic therapy rooted in insight, self-

compassion, and a deep respect for your lived experience. If this kind of work speaks to you, you can book a

Elizabeth Mahaney

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