Psychoanalysis is also rooted in conversation, but an altogether more intensive form of therapy that attempts to understand the unconscious mind, in addition to the conscious mind.

 

The guiding principle in any analytic session is to say what’s on your mind, whatever you are thinking and feeling in the moment of a session, whether it be about the past or present, while withholding nothing, and without ever censoring yourself.  That, of course, is a pretty tall order for anyone, so certain things are held back, inhibitions occur, because it isn’t so easy to be that open with yourself and with me. 

 

These inhibitions, it turns out, are an important part of the work, and alerts both you and I to important areas of psychological conflict that need to be worked through.  This takes time, but it is ultimately rewarding because it leads to a deeper understanding of one’s conscious and unconscious mind, thereby enabling one to lead a better, fuller life.

 

Typically appointments are four times a week (with the patient on the couch), although we would usually begin by meeting one to two times per week, and then comfortably work our way up.  

 

Not inhibiting and openly exploring one’s thoughts and feelings to the fullest extent are important to the success of psychoanalysis, as are the frequency of appointments per week.  This frequent and involved contact with the analyst allows the person to slowly but steadily transfer onto the doctor thoughts and feelings that the person has towards important others in their life, such as their parents, previous partners, siblings, etc.  The analyst helps the patient understand these transferences, and helps the patient see how these transferences are repeated with others in their everyday life.  Slowly, but surely, these insights help the patient grow and eventually replace self-destructive behavior, depression, and anxiety with better choices, a fuller sense of self and a greater ability to enjoy life.

 

Who can benefit from psychoanalysis? Most can benefit from psychoanalysis. It helps one understand the complicated and confusing parts of the self that are often behind repetitive self-destructive behavior and emotional states.  Understanding the deeper parts of ourselves leads to less harmful behavior patterns, a greater sense of contentment, and overall better choices in life.