How does psychoanalysis work? 

Psychoanalysis involves meeting with an analyst four or five times a week for fifty-minute sessions. In this reliable setting, the patient is encouraged to bring whatever is on their mind to the analyst who listens and helps them reflect on themselves and their experiences. The treatment is intensive and takes time - years rather than months. This regular, open-ended setting is necessary in order to achieve deeper and more lasting self-awareness and change. Psychoanalysis involves facing painful, emotional realities and offers the support to make this possible and helpful. Most psychoanalysts also see people for less intensive psychoanalytic psychotherapy, with fewer sessions in each week.
 

Who might be helped by psychoanalysis? 

Psychoanalysis can be helpful if you are facing difficulties such as: 

• Feeling stuck and unable to progress in life
• Relationship problems
• Depression
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Problems managing fear and anger
• Post traumatic difficulties
• Feeling of emptiness, isolation and loneliness

How is psychoanalysis different from psychotherapy? 

Psychodynamic or psychoanalytic psychotherapy is based on similar ways of thinking about our minds and emotions as psychoanalysis, but tends to be less intensive (between one and three sessions per week). Some people find this more manageable for various reasons. The Clinic referrals service can refer to a suitable therapist or analyst following consultation.

How does it differ from other psychological therapies? 

There are many other forms of psychological therapy, such as mentalisation-based therapy (MBT) and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), mindfulness and counselling. These tend to be shorter, less intensive treatments that may be more focussed on helping to manage problems and feelings. They can achieve good results and can be very helpful to many people. Some may then go on to have psychoanalytic therapy if they wish to establish deeper self-understanding.