How Does Psychoanalysis Help?
What is psychoanalysis, and psychoanalytic psychotherapy?
Psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy are unique forms of intensive psychotherapy that foster personal development and liberation from unsatisfying or painful patterns of living. In pursuit of those goals, the individual and the therapist work together in close collaboration. We pay careful attention to the interactions of personal and interpersonal experience, of past and present, of body and mind, of fantasy and reality. It is expected that such an in-depth exploration can set in motion a process of personal transformation.
What kinds of problems can this type of therapy address?
People seek psychoanalytically informed treatment for many reasons. Some want help with specific emotional problems, like depression, anxiety, or stress, or are seeking to come to terms with a painful or traumatic personal history. Others may feel stuck in distressing patterns that prevent them from feeling satisfied, from connecting with others, or from finding meaning in their lives. Many people simply desire a deeper self-understanding or greater creativity in their personal lives.
How are therapy sessions structured?
The therapeutic process depends on the establishment of a safe, confidential, and collaborative therapeutic relationship. The frequency of sessions in a psychoanalytically informed treatment typically ranges from one to five times a week, the minimum frequency being once weekly. Decisions about the duration of treatment, and frequency of sessions, are reached jointly between patient and therapist. Patient and therapist work together to understand the meaning of the patient’s emotional reactions, thoughts, memories, fantasies, dreams, images, and sensations in an effort to alleviate personal suffering and to expand the capacity for work, love, and creativity.
Who is a psychoanalyst?
Graduate psychoanalysts are licensed mental health professionals like psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, or psychiatric nurses who have had extensive postgraduate training in psychoanalysis. Psychoanalytic training consists of coursework, a personal analysis, and experience providing psychoanalysis under the supervision of senior analysts.
Excerpted and adapted from the Division of Psychoanalysis (Division 39) of the American Psychological Association Brochure entitled: “The Tapestry of Psychoanalysis: A Textured Human Relationship.”
Presentations and Experiences with Which I Work:
Anxiety
PTSD
Complex PTSD
Relational Trauma
Traumatic Narcissistic Abuse and Trauma
Panic Attacks
Depression
Relationship Conflicts
Identity Issues
Intimate Partner Violence
Life Transitions
Self-esteem Concerns
Anger and Aggression
Physical Symptoms
What brings you to therapy?
Whatever it is, I am honored to be a part of the reconnection to someone in your life, a part of your world, or simply to yourself.
My approach is an integrative and deep one, where I will bring all aspects of your life
– psychological, emotional, and spiritual –
together in an open, collaborative, and empathic process.
My style has been called direct, compassionate, pragmatic, and thought-provoking.
I encourage self-exploration to help you move through transitions, both acute and long-standing.
My approach is insight-oriented and focuses on unconscious processes as they are manifested in your present behavior.
We integrate the richness of your life-span experiences, which asks you to be ready to work for growth and not just symptom relief.
Patients state that they deeply benefit from having someone to help them flush out all their concerns and to reach their fullest potential.
I work from a deeply humane and respectful place, holding true admiration for all of us who actually take that step towards self-exploration.
When we collaborate, you can be assured of my highest discretion, respect, and confidentiality.
To schedule an appointment:
call: (646) 530-0993
email: carmella@carmellawhitehead.com