What is your therapeutic approach?

I provide psychodynamic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis exclusively because I believe in them, have myself benefited greatly from them, and consider their theoretical basis to be sound.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis as practised today are derived from the pioneering work of Sigmund Freud (1856-1939). I refer to therapists such as myself who work in this tradition as "analytically-oriented" therapists. We share the common belief that symptoms have meaning, that this meaning can be understood, and that understanding brings relief.

How will therapy help me?

As an analytically-oriented therapist, I work with you in therapy to clarify and understand your feelings and thoughts. In so doing, I present you with possible alternatives to the way you see yourself. You can then take this information and test it—does it make sense? Does it ring true? Is it useful? If so, you can act on it so that it changes you, helping you to resolve your issues and, over time, helping you to be more at peace with yourself and enjoy your life more fully.

What is the difference between psychodynamic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis?

Psychoanalysis generally involves multiple weekly sessions and sometimes a seating arrangement where the therapist is out of the client's direct line of vision. Where there are fewer weekly sessions and a different seating arrangement (i.e. face-to-face or virtual), some refer instead to psychodynamic psychotherapy. In terms of process, there is little practical difference.

Who might benefit?

Broadly speaking, psychoanalytic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis are the treatment approaches of choice where potential clients:

• Are not experiencing an acute mental health crisis;

• Have a fundamental interest in getting to know themselves better;

• Have tried other forms of therapy without success;

• Have complex, interpersonal difficulties that don't clearly fit into strict diagnostic categories.

If you're unsure whether psychodynamic psychotherapy or psychoanalysis is what you're looking for, please feel free to contact me to set up a time to discuss.

How long will it take to feel better?

In general, clearly defined symptoms, especially those of recent origin, will tend to improve relatively quickly. Broader and more complex issues of long standing such as chronic depression, anxiety, and trauma tend to take longer to resolve.