Psychoanalytic Therapy

At The Dorm we offer Psychoanalytic Therapy, an in-depth form of talk therapy that can benefit clients with a range of mental health challenges.

This therapeutic technique focuses on helping individuals better understand how unconscious thoughts or repressed memories may be impacting how they currently think, feel and act; insights that can inform change in the present and the future.

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What Is Psychoanalytic Therapy?

Developed in the mid 1880s, psychoanalytic therapy is both a widely known and highly effective in-depth form of talk therapy.

Based upon the theories of Sigmund Freud, the focus of this approach is to help individuals become aware of the connection between their unconscious and conscious thoughts, feelings and behaviors. By helping individuals bridge this connection, the hope is that they may gain a better understanding of their emotions, feelings and responses.

The Goals of Psychoanalytic Therapy

Help clients identify and learn to understand the impact of memories, thoughts and patterns (conscious or unconscious) from the past that may be informing challenges in the present
Support clients in uncovering ideas that may be buried in the unconscious mind that are having an impact on behavior, relationships and functioning

Who Can Benefit from Psychoanalytic Therapy?

Psychoanalytic therapy has proven to be beneficial for individuals struggling with an array of psychological conditions. In one individual research study, 77% of individuals reported a significant improvement in their clinical symptoms, and subsequently their quality of life. 80% of the individuals who completed the study reported sustained benefits following a year of treatment.

Altogether, research indicates that long-term psychoanalytic therapy can be useful for individuals struggling with one or a combination of:

Depression, anxiety, and/or other emotional difficulties
Experiences of trauma
Self-destructive patterns and behaviors
Difficulties in relationships with others
Issues with identity
Personality disorders

SOURCES

Leichsenring F, Biskup J, Kreische R, Staats H. The Göttingen study of psychoanalytic therapy: first results. Int J Psychoanal. 2005 Apr;86(Pt 2):433-55. doi: 10.1516/xx6f-au0w-kwm3-g6lu. PMID: 16089199.

De Maat S, de Jonghe F, Schoevers R, Dekker J. The effectiveness of long-term psychoanalytic therapy: a systematic review of empirical studies. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2009;17(1):1-23. doi:10.1080/10673220902742476

Psychoanalytic Therapy Services for Young Adults at The Dorm

Our young adult clients who are engaging in psychoanalytic therapy services at The Dorm can benefit from either short-term or long-term therapy. The trained clinician working with them will be intently focused on listening to them talk and paying particular attention to any patterns or themes that may have had an impact on, and subsequently be connected to, a client's current difficulties.

To bridge the gap between the unconscious and conscious, techniques utilized in psychoanalytic sessions may include free association, dream analysis, and an exploration of transference.

Together, the clinician works to help a client gain a better understanding of themselves and how they may see the world so that they can be empowered to make the changes they want to see.

Psychoanalytic Therapy - New York City | Washington, DC

At The Dorm we provide psychoanalytic therapy to young adult clients at all of our locations including The Dorm New York, NY and The Dorm Washington, DC.