The Psychoanalytic Clinic of the Washington Center for Psychoanalysis

The Washington Psychoanalytic Clinic has provided psychoanalysis for adults, adolescents, and children in the Washington area for more than sixty years. Psychoanalytic psychotherapy is also offered through the Psychotherapy Referral Service. Referrals are available for medication, couples therapy, family therapy, and supportive therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is psychoanalysis?

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

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

What is psychoanalytic psychotherapy?

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy uses the principles of psychoanalysis but is generally more focused and circumscribed. Sessions usually take place two or more times per week. It seeks to increase self-awareness and strengthen the individual’s ability to apply that awareness in daily life.

Who should consider treatment?

Working with a therapist may help a person understand and address:

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

About the clinicians

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

Locations and Fees

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

Evaluation

The patient and consulting clinician discuss the fee for the evaluation session. There is no standard evaluation 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 graduated from a Washington Psychoanalytic Center program or are completing postgraduate training in psychoanalysis or psychoanalytic psychotherapy.

Make an Appointment

Call 202-337-1617 and leave a confidential voicemail. A clinician will contact you to arrange a consultation.

After one or more sessions, the therapist will discuss which form 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 problems or concerns that led you to seek assistance.