Individual Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy has an understanding of the mind that assumes the existence and central importance of unconscious mental processes and recognises that problems in the present may have their roots in past experiences.

The relationship that develops between the client and their therapist is central in understanding these past experiences and their influence on a person's inner world and patterns of relating.

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy can be used both in brief therapy, where there is a defined area of difficulty, and over the longer term. At Hampden House we are able to offer open-ended therapies as well as once/twice or thrice-weekly individual therapy. Thus:

* People have a chance to develop a trusting relationship with a therapist in which feelings can be expressed, explored and contained

* Painful past experiences can be described, responded to and worked through

* Unconscious fears and defences will emerge in the relationship with the therapist, can become conscious and therefore open to change

* The pace of therapy can be set by the patient