What is Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
We are all born into a family – single parent, nuclear family, extended family. From those early years, we learn about who we are, based on how those around us see us and relate to us. We learn how to cope with early conflicts, jealousies, rivalries and insecurities. These defences are essential to cope with life but as we grow into adulthood, they may no longer fit us or lead to unhealthy relationships. Old ways of coping can become blocks to healthier relationships and wellbeing. Psychotherapy creates a safe, non- judgemental, confidential space in which to talk freely about issues that you might otherwise be unable to broach with friends or family. It creates a space in your week, where you can talk about whatever is most important to you. In this process we can notice together some of the ways past ways of coping are no longer useful to you and to develop your capacity to relate to others and yourself in a way that can bring more satisfaction.
How can Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy help me?
When we start in psychotherapy we are able to think about the issues which preoccupy us and explore how our present difficulties relate to our past experiences. Our past means of coping may no longer be helpful to us and cause difficulties in our relationships and our capacity to enjoy life. Understanding these self-destructive patterns enables us to make new choices in our lives. It is a means to translate what can seem like shameful problems into a more ordinary and understandable context which can allow us to find another perspective upon ourselves and others.
Regular psychotherapy sessions enable us to experience a safe space in which to reflect and to discover more about the unconscious feelings which can limit us. It is possible to voice feelings which may have previously been unspeakable. There can be points in the psychotherapy when we change our perception of ourselves and others in our lives. This can be both challenging and deeply rewarding and enable us to more flexibly approach relationships and problems in the future. As children we were immersed in the emotions of those closest to us and this very much informs our future relationships. Our present ways of relating to others is in turn reflected in our relationship with our psychotherapist The psychotherapist has particular skills in listening to the quality of dialogue, as well as to the content, in order to reflect back some of the underlying anxieties you experience within your relationships. It is possible to look at what is being expressed in the immediacy of the therapeutic relationship and to use this as a tool to find more meaningful relationships with others.
