Exploring Therapy: Psychoanalysis

It’s highly likely you’ve heard of the term ‘psychoanalysis.’ Think of your high school APS class, or that elective psychology course you took in your first year of college or university. Psychoanalytic theory was, of course, founded by the very famous Sigmund Freud in the 1800’s. He proposed the idea that people’s behaviours are influenced by unconscious thoughts, desires, and memories – many of which stem from childhood experiences.  The goal of psychoanalysis then, was to bring these unconscious thoughts and beliefs to consciousness, so that people gain greater awareness and insight into their self. He, along with other practitioners in his time, used this newly-minted “talk therapy” and famously treated patients who were diagnosed with “hysteria.”  He proposed that simply talking about problems can help with relief of mental distress. Psychoanalysis can be used to treat a myriad of mental health diagnoses, including depression, anxiety, phobic responses, trauma, self-destructive behaviours, relational concerns, and more.

When participating in Psychoanalytic Therapy, clients might expect to:

·         Talk deeply about childhood experiences and pivotal life events

·         Learn to make connections between how their upbringing or lived experiences influence their current beliefs or behaviours

·         Identify recurring patterns and themes in their life, and learn to break free from destructive patterns

As Freud’s work was highly influential in the mental health field (and his influence is still felt today), it’s no wonder that psychoanalysis or psychoanalytic therapy is one of the most popular approaches to mental health treatment today. Many therapists incorporate elements of psychoanalytic therapy in their work, and the belief that supportive counselling works is deeply held by clinicians and clients alike.