Clinical and Experimental Psychology

Psychoanalytic Therapy: Process and Benefits

Seren Shah^{* *}Correspondence: Seren Shah, Department of Clinical Psychology, St. Xavier's College, India, Email:

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Introduction

Psychoanalytic therapy is one of the most well-known recovery approaches, but it's still one of the most overlooked by mental health patients. The aim of this therapy is for patients to gain a greater understanding of the unconscious forces that may be at work in their current attitudes, feelings, and emotions. This method of therapy is based on the ideas of Sigmund Freud, the founder of the psychoanalytic school of thought.

The unconscious, according to Freud, is a repository of desires, emotions, and memories that exist under the surface of conscious consciousness. He concluded that unconscious forces were often responsible for psychological distress and disruptions.

How it Works?

Psychoanalytic therapists typically spend a lot of time listening to people talk about their lives, which is why it's known as "the talking cure." The therapist will search for trends or recent incidents that may be contributing to the client's current problems. Childhood activities, as well as unconscious emotions, impulses, and motives, are believed to play a role in mental illness and maladaptive behaviour, according to psychoanalysts.

Techniques used 

Other approaches used in psychoanalytic therapy include free association, transference discovery, observing defenses and emotions that patients may not be conscious of, and dream interpretation.

Psychoanalytic process

People who are undergoing psychoanalytic therapy usually meet with their therapist once a week and can stay in therapy for several weeks, months, or even years. People should be able to gain insight and knowledge of the unconscious forces that lead to their current mental state as a result of this process.

Intensive Treatment

Psychoanalysis can be very intense and personal for patients at times. It entails a lot of discussion about past events, relationships, and emotions. When latent influences are brought to light, this may trigger feelings of discomfort. Although the process can be unsettling at times, it can also be a valuable tool for gaining insight and dealing with difficult-to-express emotions.

Dealing with Unconscious Forces

Provoking emotional responses and overcoming defense mechanisms are common techniques used in this type of therapy. The willingness to confront potentially traumatic or triggering past experiences is also critical to success. Getting a clearer understanding of your thoughts, attitudes, and perceptions will help you better understand the unconscious forces that continue to affect your behaviour, relationships, and sense of self.

Benefits of Psychoanalytic Therapy

Psychoanalytic therapy, like any other approach to mental health care, has advantages and disadvantages. The degree to which these possible benefits and drawbacks affect a person's decision to use this strategy is determined by a number of factors, including the person's interests and the seriousness of their symptoms.

There has been a lot of study in the last few decades that has validated the advantages of this method. The therapist creates an empathetic and nonjudgmental atmosphere in which the client feels comfortable disclosing feelings or acts that have caused stress and difficulties in his or her life.

Sharing these burdens in the sense of a therapeutic partnership may also be helpful. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that this form of self-examination can result in long-term emotional development.