“It will happen but it will take time.”
What is psychoanalytic psychotherapy?
When someone decides to begin psychoanalytic psychotherapy, they may come with an interest in grappling with life's challenges on a deep emotional level. Perhaps they have tried other methods of short-term therapy and over time found these to be less useful. Or maybe, something deep within them can appreciate that the complex concerns they experience deserve a great deal of exploration and understanding in order for life to be lived differently to how it is currently.
Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy differs from other forms of therapy in three ways:
Long-term & Intensive
Often, the concerns that we bring to therapy have been a part of our lives for a long time. In today's society, there appears to be a growing expectation that long-standing personal and relational concerns can and should be resolved quickly and with ease. When problems do not resolve quickly, we can feel inadequate and isolated.
Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy recognises the importance of slowing down the therapy process, providing both therapist and patient with the opportunity to work together in exploring curious and creative understandings and possibilities.
Weekly psychotherapy sessions can continue over a relatively extended period of time.
the therapeutic relationship
Some forms of therapy place the therapist in an 'expert' role and the patient in the position of a passive recipient of advice. Psychoanalytic psychotherapy focuses on us working together and acknowledges that building and maintaining trusting relationships requires time and a joint commitment.
It is through the unique therapeutic relationship we build that a deeper understanding can emerge of how you are in relationship with others and with yourself. In order for our relationship to be maintained though, a commitment is required to be as open as possible in the sessions we have together.
intrapersonal & interpersonal
Other forms of therapy solely focus on exploring current external stressors. This can be useful with some difficulties, but when confronted with long-term concerns, it is likely that both our inner world (how we think and feel) and our outer world (our relationships and how we relate to others) are invariably linked.
Often, we are not completely aware of our inner thoughts and feelings and how these link with the way we relate to others. Through our relationship and the exploration of your life in the 'here and now' we can develop a growing understanding of these links and explore their connections to your past life experiences.
WHEN CAN PSYCHOANALYTIC pSYCHOTHERAPY BE USEFUL?
Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy can assist people experiencing concerns, such as:
Feeling stuck in life or unable to live the way you wish.
Experiencing anxiety, depression or other emotional concerns. In particular where these concerns have been long-standing and short-term treatment has not provided relief.
Relationship difficulties, particularly if you have noticed recurring concerns.
Experiences of loss or trauma
My APPROACH
Before booking an appointment, I find having an initial phone discussion useful for both of us as we can begin to get to know one another and think about what might be most helpful for you.
If we agree on an appointment, my usual practice is for us to meet for up to four sessions before we commit to working with one another. This way, I can carefully assess your concerns, we can explore how we relate to one another and then, we can jointly consider the most useful way to proceed. If psychoanalytic psychotherapy seems appropriate we can organise further sessions.
We will organise regular weekly sessions. Sessions are 50 minutes long and start and finish on time.
In sessions, you can discuss whatever comes to mind, whatever feels of importance to you. Dreams and fantasies can be useful to bring to therapy as they can provide us with insights into parts of yourself that we may not be completely aware of. Ultimately though, there is no expectation that you come prepared for sessions, instead, we can see what emerges between us in our time together.
Appointments for psychoanalytic psychotherapy can be made without the need for a referral from a medical practitioner.