Psychoanalysis

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What is psychoanalysis?

Psychoanalysis is a long-term, intensive therapy that delves into unconscious factors influencing our present behaviour and mental state. Developed by Freud, this therapy focuses on the idea that unresolved conflicts from childhood or past experiences can manifest as psychological symptoms, such as anxiety or depression. By using specialised techniques like dream analysis and free association, psychoanalysis helps clients bring these hidden conflicts to the surface, enabling meaningful psychological change.

What’s the difference between psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic therapy?

Psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic therapy, while closely related, differ in their depth, duration, and focus.

Psychoanalysis is an intensive, long-term therapeutic process that often involves multiple sessions per week over several years. In contrast, other psychoanalytic and psychodynamic therapies (such as psychoanalytic therapy) are more flexible, often shorter-term approaches that are rooted in psychoanalytic principles but tailored to be less intensive. 

While psychoanalytic therapy still focuses on understanding unconscious motivations and resolving internal conflicts, it usually involves fewer sessions and adapts to the specific needs and goals of the client, making it more practical for those who may not require or have the time for the extensive commitment of traditional psychoanalysis.

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How does psychoanalysis work?

It is thought that by bringing your unconscious into conscious awareness, you can find relief from psychological distress.

Psychoanalysis relies heavily on other factors, including a strong relationship between you and your therapist. As with many talking therapies, a psychoanalyst must provide a private, confidential setting in which you can foster a trusting, authentic relationship together. Your therapist should convey both insight and emotional understanding. This helps to ensure that they offer a non-judgemental, supportive stance throughout the entire process.

The relationship you have with your therapist will help with one of the core processes of psychoanalysis, "transference". Transference takes place when you freely talk about your feelings and thoughts towards important people in your life. Through doing this, you are essentially living out your unconscious dynamics through the connection with your therapist.

As you begin to gradually uncover what difficulties and underlying issues you are experiencing, your therapist can help you to clarify these. This enables you to refine, correct, reject, or add further thoughts and feelings. Together with your therapist, you will analyse these insights, thereby creating a real-time sense of the client's unconscious dynamics. Eventually, you will be able to start changing negative patterns and removing any limiting behaviours. 

How long does psychoanalysis take?

Typically delivered long-term (over 12 sessions), psychoanalysis requires time and commitment to see lasting results. So, it’s worth bearing in mind that, if you are looking for a quick solution, it may not be the right option for you.

Individuals are typically required to attend regular sessions for years (though this will depend on your individual needs and personal circumstances). Having regular sessions together should allow more in-depth exploration and interpretation of unconscious patterns. 

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What techniques are used in psychoanalysis?

Many different techniques are used throughout psychoanalysis sessions. This enables you and your therapist to make sense of deeply buried memories and experiences that come up during therapy. Although free association (where you speak freely about any topic you feel comfortable with) tends to come first, all techniques used are an important part of fostering change and development.

Dream analysis 

Freud believed that all people learn through myths, jokes, fairytales, poems and linguistic languages - all of which feature symbols that are also present in our dreams. In psychoanalysis, dream analysis involves the interpretation of these symbols to help us understand the unconscious mind and indicate any areas of trouble that need to be investigated. For example, you may be asked to recall any recurring or traumatic dreams that you have, so your therapist can identify specific areas of concern.

Dream analysis is a technique based on Freud’s idea that our dreams are a disguised way of fulfilling a wish. This disguise is thought to be caused by repression, which is caused by our past experiences. Going beyond simply analysing the content of dreams, while Freud didn’t explore the cross-culture different significances of dreams, therapists using this method will often be flexible in their interpretation. 

Free association 

Typically used during the early stages of psychoanalysis therapy, word association (also known as free association) involves the therapist giving a stimulus word, to which you reply with the first thing that comes to mind. This allows your unconscious thoughts to enter your conscious, which helps prepare for further investigation later on in therapy. 

Projective tests 

In some cases, psychoanalysts will present clients with a series of abstract images and invite them to explain what they see or create a story based on the images. Freud believed this technique allows the unconscious to become conscious - helping you to unlock your inner thoughts and desires. A common projective test used in psychoanalysis today is the blot test. Invented by Hermann Rorschach in 1928 this involves 10 specially-designed inkblot images. 

Freudian slips (para praxes)

Freud believed unconscious thoughts and feelings could transfer to the conscious mind through para praxes - minor slips of the tongue or pen. These 'Freudian slips' (as they are commonly known) can reveal your real thoughts and motivations - often those which are consciously suppressed as a result of past experiences and/or memories. Psychoanalysts take the view that every slip is significant and can reveal something important, so they keep a close watch for these during therapy. 

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What are the benefits of psychoanalysis?

Psychoanalysis can help to treat a range of psychological disorders and self-destructive patterns of behaviour that may be impacting your quality of life. It offers various benefits that can lead to lasting emotional and personal growth:

• Increased self-awareness: By bringing hidden and unconscious thoughts, emotions, and memories into awareness, you can gain a clearer understanding of your desires, fears, and motivations, fostering greater self-awareness.
• Long-lasting change: Unlike short-term therapies focused on quick symptom relief, psychoanalysis addresses the root causes of distress. This can lead to significant, long-lasting changes in a person's emotional patterns, behaviours, and personality.
• Improved relationships: Techniques such as transference allow individuals to understand how past experiences shape current relationships. This awareness helps in identifying and changing unhealthy patterns, leading to healthier, more genuine connections with others.
• Stronger emotional resilience: Psychoanalysis helps people better understand their emotions and develop healthier coping strategies. This can enhance emotional resilience and overall mental well-being.
• Relief from symptoms: Psychoanalysis can uncover the psychological roots of various symptoms, including anxiety, phobias, and even unexplained physical ailments.
• Personal growth: Beyond resolving psychological issues, psychoanalysis serves as a powerful tool for self-exploration and growth. It’s beneficial for those looking to understand themselves more deeply, enhance creativity, and achieve a more authentic and fulfilling life.

Is psychoanalysis right for me?

Psychoanalysis can benefit those dealing with long-standing psychological issues, such as anxiety, depression, or personality disorders. It is suitable for individuals who have achieved stability in life but are still troubled by unresolved problems. This therapy can help anyone, regardless of age, who wants to understand themselves better and address internal conflicts that affect life satisfaction.