Why seek psychoanalysis?

If you’ve come to this page, you may have read, “who benefits from psychoanalysis?” People are often surprised to learn that many people who seek psychoanalysis have significant intellectual, interpersonal and character strengths. They are actually quite sturdy though they often may not feel sturdy at the time that they seek out psychoanalysis. Here are some of the experiences, and feelings, that prompt people to seek psychoanalysis.

• • • Despite some satisfactions in their lives, they suffer from longstanding anxiety or depression. They seek to understand and overcome these painful feelings.

• • • Their previous psychotherapy has been helpful. However, they have a gnawing sense that their difficulties run deeper. They are not seeking a cursory approach; rather, they seek a way to truly deepen their understanding of themselves.

• • • Prior psychotherapy has not been effective. They strive to understand the roots of their difficulties; and to master them.

• • • They may be physicians, attorneys, professors, graduate students, writers or others whose work requires writing proficiency. Yet, they struggle with “writer’s block”. Despite living in the world of ideas, and being word-lovers, at times, they find writing excruciating.

• • • They are psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, professional counselors, pastoral care counselors and other mental health professionals who are committed to deepening their understanding of themselves. Being more tuned into themselves leads both to being helpful to their patients and leading fuller and more meaningful lives.

• • • They are impressive to others, however, on the inside they may feel like imposters. If at times they do feel that sense of surety, it slips away when they experience upheaval in relationships or work. Whenever things go well, they find themselves waiting for “the other shoe to drop”. Worry, if not a chronic state, is a very familiar one. They fear that they will be “found out” and exposed as frauds: they may also worry about being publicly shamed. They long to feel a sense of confidence, security and self-acceptance.

• • • Their wish to please is so great that they subordinate their needs to those of others, parents, lovers, bosses, professors and colleagues. Often, this way of living is so entrenched that they have no clear idea of who they are or what they want.

• • • Consistently, they find themselves in relationships that lead to unhappiness. Somehow, they choose partners who are unreliable, unkind or insensitive to their needs. They would like to develop healthier, more mutual, satisfying relationships.

• • • They feel needy and have difficulty self-soothing. They would like to conquer that feeling and be able to calm themselves.

• • • Despite impressive intellectual capacities, and achievements, they are unhappy at work. They would like to learn more about their dissatisfaction and find a more fulfilling professional path.

• • • They are on a career path tailored perfectly for them. However, their self-doubt prevents them from enjoying their work and being gratified by their accomplishments.

• • • Despite many talents and achievement they have low self-esteem.

• • • They do not want their parents to have “bragging rights”. Or, they don’t want to pursue any interests where they risk eclipsing their parents. This hampers them in their efforts to pursue meaningful success in work or in their personal relationships.

• • • They struggle with other longstanding difficulties that lead to unhappiness, such as:
      • fear of abandonment
      • fear of intimacy
      • difficulty with authority

You’ve read, “why do seek psychoanalysis?” Now, you may want to learn more about, “What kinds of people benefit from psychoanalysis? And, what happens in a consultation for psychoanalysis?

Psychoanalysis can be helpful in many ways. If you would like to explore the possibility of entering psychoanalysis with me, feel free to call: 240.483.3530. I am a board certified psychoanalyst, a Training and Supervising Analyst, a clinical psychologist and a Johns Hopkins faculty member who practices two miles from the Washington, DC, border.