Frequently Asked Questions About Psychoanalysis and the Clinic

What Is Psychoanalysis?

Psychoanalytic treatment is a collaborative endeavor between patient and analyst. It is based on the theory that individuals are often unaware of factors that influence their emotions and actions. This lack of awareness can contribute to unhappiness, recognizable symptoms, personality problems, difficulties at work or in relationships, low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety.

Typically, the patient and analyst meet four to five times each week in a quiet, safe setting to understand how unconscious factors affect current relationships and patterns of behavior. The analytic process aims to help the individual deal more effectively with the realities of adult life.

What Is Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy?

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy uses the principles of psychoanalysis in a more focused and circumscribed treatment, usually involving two or more sessions each week. Like psychoanalysis, it may be appropriate for people with considerable strengths, emotional resources, and motivation for change. It seeks to increase self-awareness and help individuals apply that awareness in daily life.

Who Should Consider Psychoanalysis or Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy?

Working with a therapist may help a person understand and resolve concerns such as:

• Relationship difficulties
• Self-esteem concerns
• Depression and anxiety
• Unresolved grief and loss
• Sexual anxieties
• Developmental problems in children and adolescents

Psychoanalysts and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists

• Are highly trained, licensed mental health professionals
• Complete advanced postgraduate training with extensive clinical supervision
• Come from professional backgrounds such as social work, psychology, psychiatry, and psychiatric nursing before undertaking advanced psychoanalytic training

Location and Fees

The psychoanalytic clinic consists of individual private practices. Treatment takes place in therapists’ offices throughout the Washington metropolitan area. Sliding-scale treatment is available based on the individual’s ability to pay.

Evaluation

You and the consulting clinician will discuss the fee for the evaluation session. There is no standard fee. Every effort is made to establish a fee that is realistic and reasonable for both the patient and clinician.

Treatment

The treatment fee is set at a rate mutually acceptable to both parties. People with limited means may arrange a sliding-scale fee. Clinicians are licensed, practicing mental health professionals who have either graduated from a Washington Center for Psychoanalysis program or are currently completing postgraduate training in psychoanalysis or psychoanalytic psychotherapy.

How Do I Make an Appointment?

Call 202-337-1617 and leave a confidential voicemail. A clinician will contact you to arrange a consultation appointment. After one or more sessions, the therapist will discuss what type of treatment may be most helpful. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and discuss the recommendation. The evaluation involves talking about yourself and the concerns that led you to seek assistance.