Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy since its inception has been regarded as a ‘talking therapy’; on the part of the practitioner, it involves a specific type of listening which is informed by psychoanalytic theory and practice, a field which has continued to be modified, grow and evolve since Freud in a range of contrasting directions. But, common to all is a belief in an unconscious aspect of the mind that informs our thoughts and actions.

As a practice, the process of psychotherapy is now often regarded as a joint endeavour between patient and psychotherapist. The aim is not for the therapist to provide solutions to difficulties; the therapist and patient work together to uncover the deep rooted factors that are the cause of difficulties and in some cases, self-defeating patterns of behaviour. Sometimes this can be a lengthy process but its success as a treatment that can create lasting change is well evidenced.

In the sessions you can expect to meet at a regular time to discuss:

• whatever you are thinking about and/or whatever is happening in your life right now
• your interactions with others and how you feel about them and yourself
• explore how your past can affect your thoughts, feelings and behaviour in the here and now.

The 50 minute sessions allow you to process your experiences and make sense of them in the safety of the therapy room.

Further information about contemporary psychoanalytic psychotherapy can be found here:

• British Psychoanalytic Council

• The Institute of Psychoanalysis

• NHS Tavistock & Portman

• Royal College of Psychiatrists

EVIDENCE

• British Psychoanalytical Council

• Institute of Psychoanalysis

• The Association of Group and Individual Psychotherapy

• The Efficacy of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy by Jonathan Shedler