THIS PAGE AWAITS YOUR QUESTIONS
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HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED TREATMENT OR IF MY CHILD DOES?
If you are asking that question then you probably should seek consultation. Adults who find themselves in repetitive cycles of failed relationships, career failures, or problems with self esteem can benefit from psychoanalytic intervention that focuses on the contributing character traits and their origins. Similarly, children’s needs can be assessed after inventorying three major areas of functioning: relationships with family members, relationships with peers, and school performance. Any child who asks for treatment, expresses suicidal or destructive ideas, or engages in other destructive behavior should be evaluated as soon as possible.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PSYCHOTHERAPY AND PSYCHOANALYSIS?
There are many forms of psychotherapy: supportive; CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy; therapy as an adjunct to psychopharmacologic intervention; counseling and many more. I will speak here of insight oriented psychotherapy for the individual which is based on an understanding of the inner mental life of an adult or child—the meanings of a current situation based on earlier developmentally influenced perceptions of experiences, termed transferences. Both therapy and analysis are based in the unfolding relationship with the therapist/analyst within the treatment setting.
In a once or twice a week psychotherapy much of the work will focus on the meaning of events that occurred between sessions where transference influenced experiences are reported and discussed in the light of, perhaps, earlier distortions occurring now in the relationships with spouse, boss, teacher, or children. This view then allows for the mastering of more specific current matters. Children may be engaged in directed play that the therapist feels will best illuminate and allow mastery of current life conflicts.
In psychoanalysis with a session frequency of 4 or 5 times a week, these same stories are examined for their direct relevance to the relationship between patient and analyst. The focus is brought into the room which allows for a more focal “re-solution” of issues that had influenced the formation of the character of the patient which has led to a recurrent pattern of conflict and self defeat in relationships and life ambitions. This broader more deep reworking allows the patient to use this understanding of him/herself to engage their world with renewed perspective that avoids self defeating patterns experienced prior to treatment. Adults use “free association” which is an uncensored reporting of ideas and feelings as they come into consciousness revealing patterns of transference open to interpretation. Children use “free play” an undirected flow of play and action in much the same way.
HOW MUCH DOES ANALYSIS COST?
Over the years the cost of an analysis has kept pace with the cost of a college education. A college education is available at a broad range of cost affordable by almost anyone who seeks it. Similarly, analysis is affordable for anyone who sincerely wants to pursue this course through private and community resources. There are analysts in training (see page ABOUT ANALYSIS) who can treat patients in training clinics, and there are analysts in the community who are committed to keeping some time available for reduced fee treatment cases. Most analysts accept insurance and consider fee setting as part of the treatment process.