Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in London | Psychoanalysis Therapy

What is Psychoanalytic Therapy?

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy is rooted in the theories and principles of Psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis was founded by S. Freud, who is considered one of the most influential scientists in the field of psychology. Freud believed that the psychological problems a person's face is rooted in his unrecognised childhood memories.

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy explores how the unconscious mind influences thoughts and behaviours, with the aim of offering insight and resolution to the client.

Psychoanalytic therapy is an in-depth talk therapy with the main purpose of bringing back memories and thoughts buried in the unconscious to the conscious mind. This way, the thoughts and emotions causing the main problems can be examined and talked through. Together, patient and therapist focus on how these repressed memories have affected the client’s mental processes. Being one of the most common and effective treatment modalities, psychoanalytic therapy is quite appreciated by clients and therapists these days. However, its real aim and meaning are quite misunderstood sometimes.

Psychoanalysis in London is basically about three main things:

• Method to study the mind especially the unconscious mind.
• Therapy to resolve neurosis.
• New self-gained discipline which is based on the knowledge achieved from the application of clinical experiments and other investigation methods.

When a therapist encourages the client to share and be open about the most hurting underlying experiences, the issues can be resolved. However, it is to be noted that most of the time the client himself doesn’t know the truths that are revealed in the therapy.

When should you seek Psychoanalytic Therapy in London?

Psychoanalytic Therapy - People seek this therapy for multiple reasons like repetitive patterns of destructive relationships, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, issues related to sexuality or self-identity, or work stress. Some might move towards this therapy after a significant loss or a trauma such as abuse.

Perhaps you are having trouble at your workplace, such as continuously failing in personal relationships, not getting along with a co-worker, not feeling connected to friends, some physical complaints that might be because of an in-depth emotional conflict, or maybe you are unable to understand your own behaviour patterns. These are the times when you should seek a psychoanalyst.

You don’t need to have a severe issue to go to psychoanalytic therapy. Sometimes you might be working just fine at home but having trouble aside. Maybe you recently have developed some insight and noticed that there might be some internal conflicts to be resolved. You want to know yourself more and explore how exactly your mind is functioning right now. These are all valid reasons to go to psychoanalysis therapy.

What to expect from receiving Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in London?

Psychoanalysis helps people know about their internal conflicts and mental issues more elaborately. It increases self-knowledge and confidence for the client. It is just like a person who comes to know that life can be changed and made perfect. Just like at times, we might need an accountant or someone of financial expertise, there are times when one needs this therapy as well.

If you have decided to step in, you will get the following benefits from this therapy:

A full range of emotions you are experiencing will be explored.

• The thoughts, ideas, feelings, that you have avoiding to remain harmonised will be discussed and resolved.
• You will be free to voice your dreams, desires, urges, and everything that you have never spoken of before.
• Your behaviour and thought patterns will be explored thus helping you in knowing yourself better.
• You will be able to talk about your hurting experiences with courage and confidence.
• You won’t be confused by your unusual behaviours anymore after knowing the underlying reasons.

What does Psychoanalysis look like in practice?

The training of Psychoanalytic psychoanalysis in London generally takes at least five years. It is available for professionals from every related area such as social work, nursing, psychology. In theory, psychoanalysis is based on the idaea that people’s behaviours and mental processes are motivated by their unrecognised issues and desires that are buried in their unconscious.

In practice, the therapist listens to the client’s stories, desires, thoughts, and everything they might not be able to share with their family and friends. Continuously talking with the client bring up the problematic patterns and behaviours and their reasons.

It typically involves the client coming to the session several times a week or by the schedule fixed by the therapist. Clients talk openly and as freely as possible. The therapist encourages the client to share everything by being a neutral person.

The role of your Psychoanalytic Therapist in London

Clinicians who practise psychoanalytic therapy have a common orientation towards assessment and treatment. But, mostly psychoanalytic therapists have extensive training.

A therapist plays a crucial role in encouraging the client to speak up about their emotions and feelings. A good therapist can help in finding the importance of the behaviour patterns of the client and their effects. Most importantly, a therapist is meant to probe a client’s past. A large portion of the therapy is about discussing the client’s past experiences.

In general, the therapist has a major role in helping patients connecting the dots between the current issues and past experiences.

Methods used by a Psychoanalytic Therapist in London

Some of the basic psychoanalysis methods used by psychoanalytic therapists are:

• Free Association method: It is the method in which the client talks about whatever comes to their mind with no time to think.
• Freudian Slips: The therapists believe that sometimes things are in mind, but we don’t want to say. These thoughts often come up as a slip of tongue. Therapists notice them all.
• Interpretation of dreams: According to Freud, ‘dreams are the royal road to the unconscious’. So, a basic part of psychoanalysis is knowing the clients’ dreams and then interpreting them.
• Interpretation of symbols: Symbols that occur in their fantasies, dreams, stories, and in their communication are interpreted keeping their current situation in the notice.

Psychoanalysis Session and Therapy Framework

People who are seeking psychoanalytic therapy often come to the session at least three times a week. This therapy often continues for a number of years. Each therapy session lasts for 50 minutes.

The therapist offers this calming environment to the client where they won’t be disturbed by anyone. The client is asked to lay down and relax. Once they are relaxed, the client starts to free associate.