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Psychotherapy or Psychoanalysis?

The goals for psychotherapeutic or psychoanalytic work are different, and the approach best suited to the client’s needs is discussed and agreed upon between the two.

In short, psychotherapeutic work focuses on relieving symptoms and regaining functionality in daily life, while psychoanalytic work takes into consideration not only functionality but also personal development and the attainment of psycho-spiritual potential, which Jung called individuation. It is a profound process of self-knowledge and transformation.

As an analytical psychotherapist, I work with people suffering from symptoms that affect life and functionality. Typical symptoms treated in psychotherapy are depression, anxiety, phobias, or addictions to substances or behaviors. These symptoms can occur due to radical life changes (divorces, bereavement processes, professional changes, etc.). The duration of treatment depends on the client and their level of distress, and is typically a medium-term approach. The session is usually weekly, lasting 60 minutes. Psychotherapists are trained in clinical psychology and regulated by professional associations of psychologists, which define the ethical and deontological terms of the profession. Make sure you are working with a certified professional. The professional must be able to prove his or her accreditation.

Jungian Psychoanalysis is a form of more intensive and in-depth work, for cases that require a more intensive approach or for people who wish to embark on a journey of self-discovery. It’s a long-term process with weekly sessions or 2/3 sessions a week. Depth and change require a focus and the development of a therapeutic relationship that challenges the today’s fast-pace and quick fix attitude. Jungian Psychoanalysts have a specific training longer than that for psychotherapy and were also themselves analyzed in a long and in-depth training analysis. The jungian psychoanalyst must be able to prove his accreditation with an institute that trains professionals in line with the international standards for psychoanalysis.

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