Psychoanalysis, therapy, and coaching

I view Psychoanalysis, Psychotherapy, and Coaching on a continuum.  We can choose to explore deep structures of the personality and change them, to challenge and change unhelpful beliefs and behaviors, or to define important objectives and ways of getting there.

 

You may be someone who can benefit from in-depth psychoanalytic treatment in which free association and the analysis of dreams, conflicts, and feelings may result in increased knowledge about yourself, about patterns of behavior, and about the repetition of the past and its impact on the present.  The careful pace of such a treatment can spur psychological development which has been derailed.  People who have difficulty with attachment and love, or who grapple with feelings of emptiness, isolation, dependency, or low self-esteem often benefit from this type of exploration.

 

Psychotherapy can be faster-paced, focused on symptom relief and employing a more active collaboration aimed at unearthing negative or unhelpful ways of thinking and at building and strengthening “new muscles” in the mind.  By actively monitoring feelings and bodily reactions, one can become aware of “unknown” thoughts that are often unrealistic and that may cause anxiety and depression. Or you may be someone that only need a coach’s gentle nudge to define values and goals and implement an action plan.