The concept of psychoanalysis is often misunderstood, often because it is treated as a theoretical framework rather than the applied practice of psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
In some respects, it resembles other forms of talking therapy, in the sense that psychoanalytic practice often involves sessions with a trained therapist who specialises in psychoanalytic treatment, but the difference is in the substance of what is discussed.
Unlike, for example, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), which focuses on current thought and behaviour patterns and actions that can be taken at this surface level, psychoanalytic therapy looks far deeper to help someone get a much greater understanding of their inner world.
This will often involve exploring repressed emotions, past experiences and childhood memories, bringing these blocked emotions to the surface and exploring how they have had lingering effects into adulthood.
Whilst the discipline was founded by Sigmund Freud, as has the entire field of psychology, its application and practice have evolved and expanded far beyond this into a structured therapeutic process.
The difference between psychoanalytic treatments compared to CBT or other talking therapies is the duration and goals; exploring the inner psyche is a delicate process that requires a strong trusting relationship between the therapist and the individual.
It often involves the use of techniques such as free association and the patterns that can be interpreted from them. This can be word association, inkblot perception or anything which can be easily and freely interpreted.
As well as this, expressions of the subconscious are also explored, such as dreams. Dream diaries might be kept or memories explored during therapy, with the symbols and their significance explored during therapy sessions.
Finally, there is the concept of transference, where the therapist and individual explore how repressed emotions can be transferred to other people, places and events in the present.
It is an involved, intense process that can at times be overwhelming, which is why it is essential to choose a therapist that is the right fit for your needs, particularly given that the therapy necessitates discussing deeply personal emotions and events.