Psychodynamic concepts form a foundation for understanding and treating mental disorders. The author describes general principles such as relationship patterns, conflict dynamics, and psychological structure according to various theoretical approaches (object relations theory, attachment theory, etc.), from which she derives treatment principles. The main part consists of representations of mental disorders: depressive disorders, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders, trauma-related disorders, and schizophrenia. Understanding and treatment follow psychodynamic principles, including disorder-specific modifications. The disorder profiles and the application of psychodynamic concepts are illustrated through case examples.