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Psychoanalytic therapy is a form oftalk therapybased on Sigmund Freud’s theories ofpsychoanalysis.
The approach explores how theunconscious mindinfluences your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Psychoanalytic approaches to emotional disorders have advanced a great deal since Freud’s time.
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He believed that these unconscious influences could often lead to psychological distress and disturbances.
Techniques
People undergoing psychoanalytic therapy often meet with their psychoanalyst at least once a week.
They can remain intherapyfor months or even years.
Psychoanalysts use a variety of techniques to gain insight into your behavior.
Transference comes up whenever youproject your feelingsabout another person onto the psychoanalyst.
Talking about these feelings can help your psychoanalyst understand how you interact with others.
As with any approach to mental health treatment, psychoanalytic therapy can have its pluses and minuses.
Before deciding on this approach, it’s important to take these factors into account.
Effectiveness
Success often hinges on the ability to confront potentially stressful or triggering experiences.
Lasting Improvements
People who receive psychoanalytic treatment tend to retain these gains.
Most continue to improve even after therapy ends.
On the other hand, the benefits of other evidence-based therapies tend to diminish over time.
A 2010 review published in theAmerican Psychologistsuggested that psychoanalytic therapy was as effective as other evidence-based therapies.
This form of therapy tends to require ongoing sessions.
Depending on how long your therapy lasts, the costs can mount up.
Psychoanalytic therapy can also be an intense process.
It involves evoking emotional responses and often challenges establisheddefense mechanisms.
To find a qualified psychoanalyst, start by asking your primary care physician for recommendations.
you could also search the directory available on theAmerican Psychoanalytic Association’s website.
Friends who have had a good experience with psychoanalytic treatment can also be another good source of recommendations.
after you grab identified a potential psychoanalyst, make a call to set up an initial consultation.
Psychoanalytic therapy is just one mental health treatment approach that you may want to consider.
Always talk to your doctor or therapist to determine whichpsychotherapymethod might be the most effective for your individual needs.
Find out which option is the best for you.
Freud S.The interpretation of dreams: The complete and definitive text.
Basic Books; 2010.
