Troubling symptoms such as depression or anxiety are viewed as the result or sign of inner struggles. Although distressing, these symptoms are not seen as the total problem in themselves. The person’s life experience and relationships also need to be understood and addressed for successful treatment.

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis are based on the recognition of the existence of an unconscious mind. This means that part of our mental life and our motivations are hidden from us. Our hidden memories and mental processes have an influence on our functioning and well being. This has recently been confirmed by neurologists and neuroscientists. When we begin to understand what is concealed within and how we have been affected by past events, we start to untangle both our inner conflicts and our external lives. In this process, we become freer and our decision making is clearer. The energy we used to keep inner pains under control becomes available for creativity, love, work and play.

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Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis is an intensive method of reaching the underlying sources of difficulties. Ordinarily, the person comes three times per week, and attempts to tell the analyst everything that he or she is thinking, without reservation. This “analytic setting” is designed to allow hidden aspects of the mind to emerge and become the conscious focus of attention. The relationship between patient and analyst allows difficulties to be deeply understood on an emotional as well as an intellectual level. Patient and analyst join in efforts to change crippling life patterns and remove incapacitating symptoms in lasting ways.

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Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy also attempts to reach the underlying sources of pain but generally has more limited goals than Psychoanalysis. Patient and therapist focus on the relief of immediate symptoms through an understanding of the past as well as current influences. Persons usually come once or twice per week and utilize the insight they gain and the support they receive from the therapist to alter their life situation. New and better ways of maintaining self control, being more assertive or meeting one’s needs are sought. Through Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, patients may restore their capacity to cope with the demands of work and interpersonal relationships.

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Which Treatment is Right for Me?
This is a highly individual question which can best be answered in consultation with a therapist. However, there are some general considerations which may be taken into account. Best able to benefit from Psychoanalysis are persons who are essentially strong individuals, although they might feel very impaired when they first seek treatment. These persons may have good relationships with friends, a stable marriage or job but still feel incapacitated by depression, anxiety or sexual difficulties. There may be some physical symptoms present that have no apparent physical causes. These persons are able and willing to invest the time necessary to finally “get to the bottom of it all”.

Most people can benefit from Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy at some point in their lives. Individuals seeking treatment, for example, may be in acute crisis with regard to relationships or employment. Study in college or graduate school may not be going well. They may be suffering from severe anxiety or depression. They may be recovering from substance abuse, have an eating disorder or sexual problems. Perhaps it is a daily struggle just to keep anger in check. Often, people seeking Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy are survivors of difficult childhood experiences who want help in trying to build a new life. Frequently, individuals who have benefitted from Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy seek Psychoanalysis at a later point.

Regardless of the choice of treatment, it is important to realize that help is available at the Training Institute and one does not need to continue to suffer unnecessarily or in silence.

In addition to psychoanalytic treatment, the Training Institute offers individual counseling, couples therapy, group therapy, psychological testing, psychiatric evaluation, and servies for the generations of the Holocaust, and for persons with communication disorders and adults with learning disabilities.

To initiate any of the service of the Training Institute, call (212) 627-8181 and ask for an intake appointment. Services are offered without regard to race, creed, color or place of national origin. You can also email us at: tifmh@earthlink.net.

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