Analytic psychotherapy has as its focus the bringing of the unconscious into consciousness. It is a depth process that works to help clients understand how their past – often their childhood – gets unconsciously re-enacted in present thoughts, feelings and behaviours as well as in intimate relationships.
Analytic psychotherapy is an approach that draws from psychoanalysis and other depth psychologies. It is particularly helpful in addressing longer-term and deep-rooted problems. These are not easily resolved, as they are partly driven unconsciously and based in early childhood experiences.
This approach views many of our more intractable difficulties beginning as an adaptation to avoid painful internal conflicts, trauma, or problematic dynamics in our earlier lives. As time goes on, these maladaptions lead to unhelpful patterns of thoughts, feelings or behaviours which exacerbate problems further.
A key characteristic is the idea that we all have an internal world which has developed from early childhood. In other words, we carry inside us our earliest experiences including important figures from our childhood. Our internal world is constantly interacting with the external world, so people and situations we encounter in the present feel very connected to important figures and experiences of the past. More than this we unconsciously expect, and try to make, these external relationships match those in our internal world. This is known as transference.
In analytic psychotherapy, while current and past problems and experiences are explored as they are in other therapies, transference is also drawn on to help the investigation on a deeper level. Links are emphasised between the relationship of client and therapist, relationships from the past, and those in the present outside the therapy. The therapist encourages exploration and curiosity about all experiences, especially regarding potential and hidden meanings.
To help clients to allow examinations to deepen, so that the less conscious aspects of their internal worlds are reached, it is important that they feel safe in the relationship with the therapist. This approach therefore emphasises strict boundaries and the therapist shares little about their ‘real’ self.
In particular, it helps by providing insight into the deeper, hidden elements of problems. It also offers what is sometimes called ‘a corrective emotional experience’. The idea of this is that the therapeutic relationship provides something very different from what the person experienced as a child and keeps expecting as an adult.
The decision to seek therapy can be difficult, but once you have booked your initial consultation, you are one step closer to finding the support you need. The first session of analytic psychotherapy is an opportunity for you and your therapist to get to know each other and decide whether you are a good fit for each other.
During the initial consultation, you’ll meet with your therapist to discuss what brought you here, and what successful therapy may look like for you. The length of your session will be decided in advance. Generally sessions are a ‘therapy hour’ which is 50 minutes, however, this may vary.
At your initial consultation, you may feel a mix of relief and anxiety, and that is perfectly normal. It’s important you feel comfortable enough to share your personal inner world with your therapist, whilst recognising that they are there to work with you and potentially be challenging at times.
During the first meeting, you may have questions about your therapy, your therapist, or both. We encourage you to ask these questions as it’s important to establish whether your therapist is the right fit for you. You don’t need to make any decisions right away. It can be helpful to reflect on how you’re feeling before deciding whether to continue.
Confidentiality is a crucial part of therapy. Everything you disclose to your therapist stays between you. However, there are rare instances where confidentiality may be broken, such as situations where you may be at risk to yourself or another person. Your therapist will discuss this with you in your first session if it arises.
In counselling and psychotherapy, we have a term called ‘the frame’. This term refers to the physical and contractual boundaries that make therapy possible. The frame covers when you meet, where you meet, confidentiality, fees, and consistency in how your therapist interacts with you.
Starting analytic psychotherapy means starting a relationship with your therapist, a very unique and intimate relationship that you may not have experienced before. The frame is what makes the relationship possible and safe.
Most people who come to analytic psychotherapy either come for an agreed number of sessions, or enter into an open-ended contract. This means you have a particular day and time when you come to therapy, and this will remain your slot ongoing until you and your therapist agree to end the sessions. Once people get into a rhythm in therapy, it’s common for them to choose to keep coming for long periods. This isn’t because there is anything wrong with them, or that it suits the therapist, but because they benefit from having a deep relationship with another to explore their inner world and work to make changes to their lives.
In summary, analytic psychotherapy offers a safe and confidential environment to explore your inner world and make deep changes to your life. It’s a unique and intimate relationship between you and your therapist governed by boundaries that make it possible and safe. If you’re considering analytic psychotherapy, take your time, ask questions, and reflect on how you feel. Therapy is a process, and finding the right therapist for you is a crucial step in achieving your goals.
Psychodynamic counselling and psychotherapy are both analytic approaches as described above. The difference is hard to define, but in a very broad sense psychodynamic counselling has an aim and focus on resolving one or two particular issues in the person’s life. Psychodynamic counselling is also generally shorter term. If the aims are not reached within a few weeks or months, it is reasonable for the therapist and client to assume a deeper and longer-term exploration is needed.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy may be initiated by a specific problem(s), but unlike counselling it aims to make deeper changes in the individual. It is therefore less focused and goal-orientated as an approach. Psychodynamic psychotherapy can be once or twice weekly and is often undertaken as a long-term approach.
Analytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy is offered by Mark Vahrmeyer, Claire Barnes and Dorothea Beech.
If you are unsure of the type of therapy you need, you can search for a therapist here.
