This article is a continuation of November's article about the more commonly used psychotherapies.
Psychoanalysis began with Sigmund Freud's studies of the psyche, and so frequently has a Freudian bent. Analyst and patient explore early childhood memories, seeking the roots of current fears, feelings, and behaviors. Psychoanalysis is intense, with four or five sessions a week, and may go on for years. Since psychoanalysis is not a "quick fix," most insurance companies won't pay for it.
Dreams, day dreams, and "free association" are the tools most frequently used to facilitate psychoanalysis. The psychoanalyst tends to remain carefully blank or neutral.
Psychodynamic psychotherapyis based on psychoanalytic techniques. The major difference is that psychodynamic psychotherapy tends to focus on one particular problem, while psychoanalyis emphasizes the whole personality.
Other differences are that psychodynamic therapy sessions are usually held once a week and doesn't take as long as psychoanalysis. Sometimes insurace will cover psychodynamic therapy.
The therapist interacts more with the patient than the psychoanalyst does, which may result in an environment that feels more supportive.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) combines therapist-directed eye movements with psychodynamic, cognitive, and behavioral therapies. There are eight treatment phases to assess the patient, to measure progress, and to learn new and more adaptive responses.
EMDR is not necessarily a brief therapy, and sessions are generally held once a week or once every two weeks.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN CHOOSING A THERAPY
1) Cost is a factor for many people. Will your insurance cover psychotherapy? If so, what kinds of therapy? Are you able to pay cash? How will you work it into your budget?
If you are able to pay for psychotherapy yourself, then you can choose whichever form appeals most to you.
2) Length of therapy is another factor to consider. Usually cognitive-behavioral therapies take less time than the other forms, but will not address long-term, underlying issues.
3) What is your goal in therapy? If your problem is situational, then a briefer therapy might be best for you. But, it it's a long-term ongoing problem, insight-oriented therapies (like Jungian) would be better.
4) Some people live in large metropolitan areas where a wide range of therapies are available. Those who live in areas with smaller populations may not have the same variety of therapies to choose from.
5) When you meet with a therapist for the first time, pay attention to your "gut feeling." Is this someone you can work with? Are you comfortable with her or his style?
Psychoanalysis began with Sigmund Freud's studies of the psyche, and so frequently has a Freudian bent. Analyst and patient explore early childhood memories, seeking the roots of current fears, feelings, and behaviors. Psychoanalysis is intense, with four or five sessions a week, and may go on for years. Since psychoanalysis is not a "quick fix," most insurance companies won't pay for it.
Dreams, day dreams, and "free association" are the tools most frequently used to facilitate psychoanalysis. The psychoanalyst tends to remain carefully blank or neutral.
Psychodynamic psychotherapyis based on psychoanalytic techniques. The major difference is that psychodynamic psychotherapy tends to focus on one particular problem, while psychoanalyis emphasizes the whole personality.
Other differences are that psychodynamic therapy sessions are usually held once a week and doesn't take as long as psychoanalysis. Sometimes insurace will cover psychodynamic therapy.
The therapist interacts more with the patient than the psychoanalyst does, which may result in an environment that feels more supportive.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) combines therapist-directed eye movements with psychodynamic, cognitive, and behavioral therapies. There are eight treatment phases to assess the patient, to measure progress, and to learn new and more adaptive responses.
EMDR is not necessarily a brief therapy, and sessions are generally held once a week or once every two weeks.
1) Cost is a factor for many people. Will your insurance cover psychotherapy? If so, what kinds of therapy? Are you able to pay cash? How will you work it into your budget?
If you are able to pay for psychotherapy yourself, then you can choose whichever form appeals most to you.
2) Length of therapy is another factor to consider. Usually cognitive-behavioral therapies take less time than the other forms, but will not address long-term, underlying issues.
3) What is your goal in therapy? If your problem is situational, then a briefer therapy might be best for you. But, it it's a long-term ongoing problem, insight-oriented therapies (like Jungian) would be better.
4) Some people live in large metropolitan areas where a wide range of therapies are available. Those who live in areas with smaller populations may not have the same variety of therapies to choose from.
5) When you meet with a therapist for the first time, pay attention to your "gut feeling." Is this someone you can work with? Are you comfortable with her or his style?
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