People come to psychotherapy because they don’t feel good about themselves or their life. They come with all sorts of symptoms – psychological and physical. As therapists we listen to you speak about your life, work, family, community, as well as your presenting symptom. People are complex – if one thing goes wrong, the whole person is affected. Psychotherapy treats the person, not just the symptom.
These are some of the typical symptoms that we see and treat frequently in the clinic:
Anxiety, stress and tension are the biggest limiting factors in the achievement of our goals. Humans manage fear very well – we learn how to manage or avoid the object we are frightened of. However with anxiety or stress we cannot easily identify the cause and our emotions seem to be all consuming, overwhelming – too big to grasp, often leading to panic attacks. Psychoanalysis allows us to identify these hidden causes, allowing our normal coping mechanisms to operate.
Psychoanalysts believe that what drives us through life are multiple relationships with people, things and places. Just as when something loved is lost, in depression it seems like part of ourself has also died. Analysis offers a new pathway back to living. By talking and exploring our dreams, wishes and desires we can find new ways of identifying with the world and a new impetus to live.
Life is competitive from our earliest years. Which infant is the cleverest or the most beautiful, who gets the best grades or makes the team, who gets the best job or earns the most money. The list goes on. The non-judgemental environment of psychoanalysis allows us the freedom to think about what we might really want without constantly comparing ourselves to others.
OCD is a very complex and debilitating disorder. Why do some people need to repeat actions which apparently make no sense? We can help you make sense of your OCD and its underlying unconscious causes. Psychotherapy allows you freedom to manage your symptom.
A death can lead to complicated grief. In fact a loss of any sort, such as moving abroad to work or sustaining a scar in an accident can have lasting effects. In these cases talking to an analyst may be helpful in resolving internal conflict. It is normal to experience a major loss as traumatic or inhibiting. In some cases emotions can become overwhelming leading to insomnia, despair, anger, depression or even thoughts of suicide.
Humans do not like change. Workplace issues such as retirement, redundancy, a new job spec, or any of a myriad of other social factors can influence our psychical well being. There can be changes at home or school too, such as not making the team, a new baby, a relationship issue. Even positive changes may be the trigger for a period of uncertainty, for example moving from school to college. In any of these instances talking to a trained therapist can be extremely useful.
All relationships are complex and difficult, at home, at work, at play, in bed. Most of the time we can sort it out, but there are times when it just doesn’t work. Consulting with an analyst allows us to explore a different perspective.
Sexuality isn’t always straightforward. Psychoanalysts understand that there is no such thing as ‘normal’ sexuality. Instead there is a complex relationship between our gender identification, our bodies and our society. Confusion in relationships and questions around gender and sexuality benefit from talking and working through in a confidential and non-judgemental setting. This three minute clip is an excellent description and explanation of the differences between sex, sexuality and gender.
Anger is a manifestation of a deeper underlying issue. It can play havoc with people’s lives. We offer the opportunity to explore unrecognised conflicts, allowing a space to find a resolution.
Abuse and bullying expresses itself in a wide range of physical, emotional and sexual behaviours. It happens in all age groups and environments. It is extremely difficult to confront because of the fear and undermining of self-esteem that results from bullying and abusive behaviour. Analysis provides a safe place to regain strength, self esteem and perspective.
Self harm occurs in times of great stress as a response to inner turmoil. Self harming is serious and should not be ignored. Psychoanalysis invites the client to speak about their feelings as an alternative to damaging their body.
Addictions are complex and take many forms, from alcohol dependency, drug misuse (prescribed or social) to gambling, sex or excessive/extreme sport or exercise. It is difficult to acknowledge to yourself and then to someone else that you are caught up in behaviours you can no longer control. Initially many try to conceal their addiction, feel shame about it and think change is impossible.
Eating disorders are very complicated, frightening and difficult disorders to live with and deal with. They are extremely serious, having the highest mortality rate of all psychological disorders. So, if you or if someone you know has an eating disorder then it is extremely important that you, or they begin the process of trying to get out of it. In a similar way to an addiction, when a person has an eating disorder, it becomes progressively worse, the person becomes more and more preoccupied with it.
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