What is Psychoanalytic Therapy?

Psychoanalytic and psychodynamic therapies recognize that what takes place in the deeper levels of the mind strongly influences our more conscious thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In order to see substantial change from treatment, you must explore and significantly resolve more in depth issues to grow beyond your current difficulties. In doing so, you will not be destined to repeat [re-enact] circumstances and behaviors that have compromised your ability to enjoy life. This psychoanalytic treatment, focusing on further understanding of the self, aims to improve your overall level of functioning, while respecting your individuality. The treatment environment embraces your unique personality characteristics, which potentially maximizes creativity and personal growth. The work is done within the context of a specialized therapeutic relationship that, when successful, lessens your struggles while enhancing your self esteem and improving the quality of your interpersonal relationships. These improved capacities to love, work, and play not only impact on you as the patient, but also upon those with whom you have contact. As you gain a deeper understanding of yourself, your self-defeating patterns diminish, while more creative, higher functioning abilities are developed.