What is Psychotherapy?

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy is a form of clinical practice that is based on psychoanalytic theory and principles. It focusses on increasing self understanding and may bring relief from anxiety, improve relationships, and facilitate the expression of thoughts and feelings in less troubling ways.  

The person is asked to speak as freely as they can in sessions, about whatever is on their mind. The psychotherapist engages with the patient about whatever comes up, while also trying to understand any unconscious communications that may enhance understanding of what may be underlying anxieties and concerns. The retelling of dreams for example, can be helpful in better understanding what might otherwise remain unconscious. Understanding aspects of the relationship between psychotherapist and patient may also help bring into focus unconscious thoughts and feelings that may relate to underlying emotional conflicts, and provide a better understanding of current and past relationships.

Some people find it helpful to lie on the couch with the therapist sitting in a chair behind them, while others prefer to sit facing opposite the therapist. Psychotherapy may also be online via video conferencing or may be on the telephone. The frequency of sessions is usually once or twice a week, but some find it helpful to come more frequently. Psychotherapy may be short term or long term depending on needs and circumstances. Long term psychotherapy may extend over a number of years.

I offer psychotherapy to parents and infants, children, adolescents and adults.

My work is informed by the writings and practices of notable psychoanalysts of the past including Sigmund Freud, Melanie Klein, Wilfred Bion and Donald Winnicott, as well being informed by many contemporary psychoanalysts and psychotherapists.