What is psychoanalysis?

Psychoanalysis is a theory about the workings of the human mind, a method of treating mental problems and disorders, a method of research, and a way of thinking about cultural and social phenomena such as art, literature, theatre, film, politics, different social groups, etc.

Psychoanalysis was developed by Sigmund Freud in the early 20th century. Since then psychoanalysis has developed into various schools, such as classical psychoanalysis, Lacanian psychoanalysis, object relations theory, self-psychology, and relational psychoanalysis, to name but a few.

For more on psychoanalysis and what psychoanalysis is today, I recommend watching the documentary “Introduction to Psychoanalysis” by Otto F. Kernberg and Peter Zagermann, available on YouTube. Link to a documentary.

What is a psychoanalytic treatment?

Psychoanalysis is a talking cure based on the method of free association - the patient is invited to talk freely about whatever comes to mind without being restricted or censored by concerns about context, decency, feelings of shame or guilt, or other reservations. Through this method, our thought processes make connections that can reveal inaccessible, unconscious content - ideas, desires, conflicts, fantasies, etc., that often stem from early experiences in the context of the primary family. Through the analyst's interpretations of these connections and interpretations of the relationship between the analyst and the patient in the here-and-now, a new understanding of her or his problems is developed and established (insight). Applying these new insights to external situations where the same themes and conflicts arise (working through) enables the individual to become increasingly aware of the previously unconscious, now conscious thought processes that are causing the conflicts or the patient's suffering. It is also important to emphasise the relationship between the patient and the analyst, which enables healing through the experience of a different new relationship, and the internalisation of this relationship establishes a new pattern and way of relating to others. Conflict resolution combined with a corrective emotional experience within the therapeutic relationship allows for liberation from old patterns and inhibitions, and makes room for new ways of thinking, feeling, and ways of relating to self, others, and life in general.

What is the difference between psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy?

Unlike psychoanalysis, which usually takes place four to five times a week, with the patient lying on a couch, psychoanalytic psychotherapy usually takes place once or twice a week vis-à-vis (sitting and facing each other). Exploring unconscious material and working through within a relationship usually takes time, so both processes generally take several months or years. Psychotherapy is due to the lower frequency of sessions more accessible and affordable, both in time and money. However, it also allows for working through deeper contents and patterns which has long-term effects.

What is psychological counselling?

Psychological counselling is a short-term process, usually lasting a few sessions at a frequency of once a week or every two weeks. The counselling process focuses on a specific situation or conflict and on finding possible solutions or different ways of thinking and relating to that situation. My approach to counselling is informed by psychoanalytic theory and practice, with an emphasis on early significant relationships and how these are expressed in current relationships, and the importance of the unconscious and its influence on our thinking, feeling and behaviour.