WHAT IS PSYCHOANALYSIS?

 

             Psychoanalysis is a method of therapy as well as a theory of how our mind works.

 

             In addition to our conscious thoughts and choices, all of us are also motivated by thoughts, wishes, and fears that are hidden from our direct awareness—that are unconscious—but that influence us nonetheless, including painful or uncomfortable thoughts and feelings we might try to forget or not think about.

 

             What sets psychoanalysis apart from other therapies is its focus on examining your internal world—including these less conscious aspects.  To do this, in therapy (unlike in usual social settings), you are encouraged to speak whatever comes into your mind—trying to withhold judgment or censorship.  This might include stories from the day, fantasies, and day or night dreams, for example.  It will likely include people and events from current life as well as the past.

 

WHAT IS PSYCHOANALYTIC PSYCHOTHERAPY?

 

             Psychoanalytic psychotherapy, like psychoanalysis (described above), emphasizes the importance of speaking your mind freely, without judgment. This helps draw attention from more readily known thoughts and feelings, to the more hidden corners of your mind.

 

             The frequency of sessions is the defining difference between psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy.  Psychotherapy sessions are usually scheduled weekly, while in psychoanalysis they occur more often, sometimes three to four times a week.  The difference in frequency affects the intensity of the work-- much as the frequency of contact affects any other relationship, or the frequency of practice affects a learning experience.

 

             In all other ways, relating to the process and goals, psychoanalytic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis are indistinguishable.

 

HOW DOES THERAPY WORK?

 

             Establishing a sense of safety and trust in the relationship between the therapist and patient is the foundational task of therapy that enables the work to take place.

 

             People usually find that as they talk about what is on their mind, and get a fuller awareness of their thoughts and feelings, they begin to recognize self-defeating patterns, outdated ideas, and forgotten but still painful feelings.  These are sometimes deeply rooted. The work of therapy is to uncover and reexamine these old patterns and ideas.  Engaging in this process helps to put struggles and emotional injuries to rest in the past. In their absence, we can create new patterns for coping with life’s current challenges and free up new energy for the future.

 

HOW LONG DOES THERAPY TAKE?

 

             The duration of therapy is hard to predict.  It can depend upon many things.  Two significant factors are what you want to get out of the experience, and the supports you have available in your current life.  It is easier to estimate duration after a few initial sessions.

 

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU’RE DONE?

 

             When you achieve the results you want.

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WHAT TYPES OF PROBLEMS CAN THERAPY HELP WITH?

 

             Here is a sampling of some of the issues I have experience working with: