what is psychoanalysis?

Psychoanalysis is an intensive method of psychotherapy that respects and encourages curiosity about the role of the unconscious in our everyday lives. It can help us become aware of and better understand operations in our unconscious that may be causing us pain or suffering without our knowledge.

The confidential and nonjudgmental nature of the setting, as well as the frequency of sessions (typically between two to five times per week) encourage increased freedom of thought and speech which helps bring attention to the patient’s unconscious as it emerges in the exchanges with the analyst.

This emergence can happen in many ways—for example, through slips, lapses, jokes, or dreams shared by the patient (or “analysand”) in sessions  It also occurs through transference, which is the feeling that at times someone reminds you or is relating to you in a manner that is reminiscent of someone from your past, usually someone quite influential. Through careful listening and a measured degree of participation, the analyst interprets the transference, which can allow for expanded understanding of how the past may be shaping the present, possibly in ways that are no longer helpful. Working with this phenomenon over time, in concert with developing increased comfort and freedom with one’s own thoughts and feelings, can lead to increased psychological awareness and integration. This better acquaintance with the self can lead to more vibrant, engaged, harmonious living.     

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy is a psychotherapy based on psychoanalysis and incorporates transference and attention to the unconscious. The difference is that it is less immersive and usually occurs once or twice per week. Due to the limitations of time, there is less capacity to incorporate free association, though the patient is still encouraged to speak their mind to the best of their ability.