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Paulina Kaiser, MD - Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

A depth-oriented approach to understanding the patterns, conflicts, and experiences that shape your emotional life. Not just managing symptoms, but building a richer understanding of yourself.

Understanding the Approach

Psychodynamic psychotherapy is rooted in the understanding that much of our emotional life operates beneath the surface. The way we relate to others, the patterns we repeat, the anxieties that persist despite our best efforts: these often have origins in experiences and conflicts that we may not fully recognize.

In psychodynamic therapy, the therapeutic relationship itself becomes a vehicle for understanding and change. Through careful exploration of your thoughts, feelings, and the dynamics that emerge between you and your therapist, you develop insight into the forces that shape your emotional world.

Dr. Kaiser completed four years of core training at the Emory University Psychoanalytic Institute, providing her with deep expertise in this modality. She brings this training to every session, creating a space where genuine self-understanding can unfold.

Depth vs. Symptom Management

Different approaches to therapy serve different purposes. Here is how psychodynamic therapy compares to other common modalities.

Psychodynamic Therapy

  • Explores root causes and unconscious patterns
  • Uses the therapeutic relationship as a tool for growth
  • Benefits continue to grow after treatment ends
  • Well-suited for complex, recurring, or longstanding issues

CBT & Symptom-Focused Therapies

  • Targets specific thoughts and behaviors
  • Structured sessions with homework exercises
  • Typically shorter duration (12 to 20 sessions)
  • Effective for specific, well-defined problems

Who Benefits Most

High-Functioning Professionals

Individuals managing demanding careers who sense that something deeper underlies their stress, anxiety, or dissatisfaction.

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Peripartum Patients

Those navigating the emotional complexities of fertility, pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, and the identity shift of becoming a parent.

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Complex or Recurring Issues

People whose symptoms have returned despite previous treatment, or who feel they have never fully understood the patterns driving their difficulties.

What Sessions Look Like

Sessions are typically 45 minutes and held weekly, though frequency may be adjusted based on your needs and goals. Therapy takes place in Dr. Kaiser's Atlanta office or via secure telehealth for patients in Georgia and California.

Each session is an open space for you to bring what is on your mind. There is no rigid agenda. Dr. Kaiser will listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and gently draw attention to patterns and themes as they emerge. Over time, this process builds a deeper understanding of yourself and your relationships.

The therapeutic relationship is central to the work. The trust and consistency that develop between you and your therapist create a foundation for the kind of honest exploration that leads to meaningful change.

Dr. Paulina Kaiser

Research and Evidence

Psychodynamic therapy is supported by decades of empirical research. Meta-analyses published in leading journals have demonstrated its effectiveness for a wide range of conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, personality difficulties, and chronic emotional distress.

One of the distinguishing findings in psychodynamic research is that treatment gains tend to continue after therapy ends. Known as the “sleeper effect,” this suggests that psychodynamic therapy sets in motion a process of self-understanding that continues to unfold over time.

Dr. Kaiser's training at the Emory University Psychoanalytic Institute and her ongoing role as an Adjunct Assistant Professor ensure that her clinical practice remains grounded in the latest research and informed by the broader psychoanalytic community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Begin Your Journey

If you are curious about understanding yourself more deeply, schedule a consultation to explore whether psychodynamic therapy is right for you.

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