Benefits of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

Patients, in addition to relief from the suffering that brought them to treatment, may also experience a sense of greater fulfillment in their lives from having established a secure base in the relationship with the psychoanalyst that allows for deep re-working of earlier glitches and faults in development. Greater fulfillment in both work and in relationships is the larger goal. I believe this comes about through the deep connection established between patient and analyst as they face pain and suffering that is made bearable by the support and containment achieved in the analytic relationship. Psychoanalytic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis are not generally short-term treatments. It takes time to establish the deep trust and intimacy with the analyst that allows one to face the most difficult and painful parts of ourselves with the honesty and courage that will help us change and become stronger and more whole in ourselves.

For empirical research on the benefits of psychotherapy, see Shedler:
internationalpsychoanalysis.net. . .
the-efficacy-of-psychodynamic-psychotherapy -by-jonathan-shedler

...and a cartoon about depression and psychoanalysis: xtranormal.com/watch/11935028/ask-your-doctor-about-psychoanalysis