“Psychoanalysis developed from the recognition that we unconsciously repeat patterns from our past in our current lives. Sometimes we may be aware already of these patterns, but at other times they may be more hidden from consciousness. These thoughts and emotions by their very nature are deep seated and often can be very unhelpful. We can find ourselves repeating destructive behaviours, being stuck in unhappy relationships, limiting our personal and professional capacities.”
What is the difference between psychoanalysis and psychotherapy? And how can they help?
Psychoanalysis is both a body of theory about the mind and also a therapeutic method of treatment. Having psychotherapy/psychoanalysis can help to understand ourselves better, and to work through our difficulties. The fundamental aim is to understand the underlying causes of mental pain and suffering. In being able to understand ourselves better, through the experience of talking to a qualified analyst, we gain insight into our problems and are more likely to undergo the sort of internal changes which lead to better ways of relating to ourselves and to those around us.
Psychoanalysis is a more intensive treatment with sessions on 4 or 5 days of the week. In psychoanalytic psychotherapy sessions are less frequent. In the consultation the suitability of either psychoanalysis or psychotherapy would be one of the areas to be discussed. My training however equips me to work with people either in full 5x week analysis or on a less frequent basis.
How I Work
After an initial conversation on the telephone, I offer a consultation, that usually consists of several meetings. These initial sessions, as well as being an opportunity to begin talking about what is troubling you, also give both of us the opportunity of considering whether we wish to work together and also a preliminary sense of what it might be like to have therapy or an analysis.
If you would like to know more about psychoanalysis or psychotherapy I would recommend the following links:
www.bpc.org.uk
www.psychoanalysis.org.uk