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Psychoanalysis

Psychoanalysis is both a theory of the human mind and a therapeutic practice. It was founded by Sigmund Freud between 1885 and 1939 and continues to be developed by psychoanalysts all over the world. The practice of psychoanalysis is a deeper, more intense form of therapeutic treatment than psychotherapy. It’s premise is that there is something to be gained from talking regularly—and frequently—with someone whose perspective, training, skills, and experience allow for a kind of listening and understanding not typically available in everyday life. Analytic sessions take place several times a week, rather than once or twice weekly as they do in psychotherapy. And, while psychotherapy is usually conducted sitting face-to-face, in psychoanalysis one often lies on a couch with the analyst sitting in a chair outside of vision. This is often a more comfortable, liberating experience, since you can then turn your attention more fully inward. The process involves exploring and understanding ways of thinking and feeling—and ways of relating to others—that you aren’t readily aware of.  Understanding yourself in this manner, and in the context of the relationship with the therapist/analyst, provides a unique opportunity to change habitual patterns and create more rewarding ways of engaging in life. The positive effects of psychoanalysis tend to be long-lasting and lead to further growth even after the analysis is terminated.