What is psychoanalysis?

Psychoanalysis is a type of talk therapy. It’s easier to describe what psychoanalysis isn’t, as there are lots of different types of therapy.

Psychoanalysis is different to manualised therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT). These types of therapy are ways of changing certain thoughts or behaviours. Though these therapies might also involve exploring the origins of these thoughts or behaviours, doing so is not the main focus of treatment.

Learning these skills is important, but they won’t help you understand why you needed to do so in the first place. Unlike manulised therapies, which are meant to work for everyone in the same way, individual psychotherapy is a treatment that is unique for each individual. Through psychotherapy, over time you may be able to identify patterns of thinking or acting, and understand how this affects your relationship with your work and with your loved ones.

Psychoanalysis is one type of individual therapy. It is different to psychodynamic psychotherapy. In psychodynamic psychotherapy, you examine your experience of the therapy to learn more about how you relate to people in your life.

In psychoanalysis in the Lacanian tradition, you examine the words of your speech. That’s why the logo for this clinic is an upside-down ear: in psychoanalysis, one listens for the mistakes in speech which might reveal unconscious thought. As Lacanian psychoanalysis is another way of examining words, the theory is a critical theory used in academic discourse.

Is psychoanalysis right for me?

That’s up to you; anyone who wishes to participate in a psychoanalytic discourse may do so. However, if you are seeking mental health treatment, it’s important that you have tried other options as well. If you see a psychiatrist for therapy, you will need a referral from your GP.

You can find more information about long-term psychotherapy on the RANZCP website.

Who provides psychoanalysis?

Psychoanalysts have undergone psychoanalysis and undertake additional study to become psychoanalysts. Though many psychoanalysts are also mental health clinicians, one doesn’t need to hold any professional qualification to be a psychoanalyst.

In Melbourne, there are a few psychoanalytic institutions that provide education and training for those who are interested in this therapy. They also publish a list of members who have a clinical practice. These lists include the Freudian School of Melbourne, the Lacan Circle of Australia, and the Australian Centre for Psychoanalysis. Each institution also publishes has a list of practicing members.