Psychoanalysis & Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
Psychoanalysis is a set of theories for the discovery and understanding of the human psyche, from which therapeutic techniques have been developed that collectively form the clinical method for the assessment and treatment of mental disorders, through the process called psychoanalytic procedure.
During the psychoanalytic procedure, the person gradually internalizes the stability of the psychoanalytic framework and appropriates the space and time of that framework, which is entirely dedicated to the person, so that he/she can express (perhaps for the first time in his/her life) with absolute freedom, sincerity, acceptance, and understanding, his/her thoughts, feelings, memories, experiences and inner world as a whole.
Human Beings and Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis is addressed to people who face mental difficulties that may manifest themselves with symptoms such as stress, anxiety, phobias, obsessions, depression, guilt, outbursts, self-deprecation, low self-esteem, self-destructiveness, hetero-destructiveness, etc. These mental difficulties result in the person experiencing a sense of dissatisfaction, both regarding himself/herself and his/her interpersonal relationships (family, partner, social, professional), which may lead to discomfort or even dysfunctionality in his/her daily life.
Psychoanalytic psychotherapy aims to help individuals in addressing these difficulties by exploring their unconscious, and gaining insight and awareness of their emotions, behaviors, and relationships. Through this process, individuals can develop a better understanding of themselves and their struggles, leading to personal growth and improved functioning in their lives.
The Psychoanalytic Relationship
The safety provided by the psychoanalytic confidentiality and the distance from any form of criticism or censorship on the part of the analyst towards what the analysand reports, allow for the establishment of a unique relationship between them, the so-called psychoanalytic relationship.
The psychoanalytic relationship is a unique therapeutic relationship between the analysand and the analyst with a clear common goal, which is not simply the relief of psychological disturbances, problems, symptoms, but the profound repositioning of the self.
Free Association
Psychoanalysis as a process is based on the fundamental rule of free association. Through free association, the analysand reports whatever comes to mind in the here and now of the psychoanalytic session, without self-censoring any of his/her thoughts, considering them to be funny, ridiculous, trivial, insignificant, foolish, stupid, irrelevant, offensive, disgusting, shameful, insignificant, trivial or anything else.
Everything is significant and essential, as they reveal directions towards the unconscious of the analysand and disclose the unresolved intrapsychic conflicts that torment and limit his/her existence.
Thus, the possibility of a deeper exploration of the psyche is given through free association and the uniqueness of the psychoanalytic relationship.
This provides the opportunity for a deeper exploration of the psyche, through free association and the unique relationship between the psychoanalyst and the patient, creating a comprehensive experience of the patient, who gradually becomes liberated and repositioned in relation to themselves and their interpersonal relationships.
Characteristics of the Psychoanalytic Framework
The psychoanalytic framework is characterized by:
The Space of the Psychoanalytic Framework
The psychoanalytic framework requires a comfortable, quiet, clean, adequately warm, well-lit, and ideally isolated space to maintain confidentiality and privacy.
The Frequency of Psychoanalytic Sessions
In addition, the psychoanalytic framework presupposes that specific weekly days and times for sessions have been established from the outset and in collaboration between the patient and analyst, which must be observed with as much conscientiousness as possible by both parties to avoid any disruptions in the rhythmic nature of the psychoanalytic process.
The Arrangement of the Psychoanalytic Framework
In the context of classical psychoanalysis, the analysand lies comfortably on the couch with the analyst sitting behind them (out of their visual field), and allows themselves to freely associate, that is, to say whatever comes to their mind at that given moment, without any self-censorship.
In the safety of this condition, the analysand is allowed to verbalize anything and immerse themselves in memories, experiences, dreams, and fantasies from the past, present, and future, entering into a deep contact with their self, their real needs, desires, and wants.
In the context of psychoanalytic psychotherapy, the theoretical background is common with classical psychoanalysis; however, instead of lying on the couch with the analyst sitting behind them (out of their visual field), the analysand sits in a chair face to face with the analyst.
Duration of Psychoanalytic Sessions
Each psychoanalytic session lasts for 50 minutes. In classical psychoanalysis, where the psychoanalytic process delves into the maximum potential of the unconscious psyche, a frequency of at least three sessions per week is required.
In psychoanalytic psychotherapy, where the psychoanalytic process follows a slower pace, ideally, one session per week is carried out.
The Duration of the Psychoanalytic Process
The duration of a psychoanalytic process cannot be predetermined, as each person is unique and is called upon to undertake their own personal psychoanalytic journey, always accompanied by their analyst.
However, both the analysand and the analyst are free to interrupt or terminate the analysis at any time.
Ideally, a minimum of two years of psychoanalytic process is required, and in case the analyst and the analysand decide that it can be completed, they move on to the most important closure of the analysis, which lasts for at least six months.
The Goal
Based on the determined psychoanalytic framework and technique, the uniqueness of the psychoanalytic relationship is gradually strengthened, with the insight and self-awareness that it highlights, establishing the repositioning of the analysand towards oneself and the world around them, through the long, arduous, and painful psychoanalytic process, in order to ultimately achieve the goal of satisfaction and completeness of the individual regarding their existence and interpersonal relationships.
