Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
A conversation that leads to understanding—and the possibility of change.
Psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy offer a unique way to understand yourself more deeply. At its core, this work is a meeting between two people: one seeking help, the other trained to listen and understand. Together, they explore the patterns, feelings, and relationships that shape the person’s inner world—especially those that may not yet be fully understood.What makes psychoanalytic work different is its focus on both the conscious and unconscious mind. Our unconscious holds memories, emotions, and patterns that continue to shape us—even when we’re not aware of them. In therapy, we create a space to bring those hidden parts into awareness.
What is the aim of psychoanalytic therapy?
The goal is greater self-knowledge—an understanding of why we think, feel, and act the way we do. This insight allows us to make different choices, and to respond more freely and creatively to life’s challenges, rather than repeating painful patterns.
Why the unconscious matters:
The unconscious mind doesn’t follow the clock. It holds onto experiences as if they are happening right now—like dreams that feel vivid, even when they recall the distant past. Because of this, we often repeat certain experiences or behaviors without fully realizing it.
You may have wondered:
Why do I keep choosing the same kind of relationships?
Why do I feel anxious or afraid when there’s no clear reason?
Why do I believe I’m not liked or accepted—even when people show me otherwise?
These are questions psychoanalytic therapy helps you explore. In fact, the therapeutic relationship itself often reflects these deeper patterns—giving us a chance to see them more clearly and work with them.
How does the process work?
You’ll be invited to speak as openly and freely as possible—without editing or trying to “make sense” of what you’re saying right away. This is known as free association, a method developed by Freud that remains central to psychoanalytic work. It’s not always easy, but it can be deeply revealing.
The therapist listens carefully—not to judge or give advice, but to help you see and understand parts of yourself you may not yet fully know.
As psychoanalyst William Poland put it, this work offers something rare:
“…a nonjudgmental combination of compassion, validation, and a special form of understanding in which the analyst can see things the client cannot yet see; hope in a time of darkness; and the capacity for witnessing.”
To “witness” someone, in this sense, means listening deeply—seeing and holding their experience, without judgment.
— Poland, W. (2000). The Analyst’s Witnessing and Otherness, JAPA, Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association 40/1
Interested? Get in Touch.
Contact us to book an initial consultation.
This first step is informal and without obligation.
Interested? Get in Touch.
Contact us to book an initial consultation. This first step is informal and without obligation.