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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by pretty_paints on August 17, 2004, at 10:52:11
Hi guys,
I was just wondering if someone could explain to me the difference between normal psychotherapy and psychoanalysis!
I know that with analysis, the analysist is much less involved and chatty, but what exactly is the difference? Is it like, they analyse you through everything you say and do, and then give you feedback or something? I mean, otherwise, what do you get out of it?
thanks!!! xx
Posted by lookdownfish on August 18, 2004, at 16:25:28
In reply to Therapy / Analysis - whats the difference?, posted by pretty_paints on August 17, 2004, at 10:52:11
Briefly, off the top of my head:
Analysis is more likely to address all aspects of the person's life, whereas psychotherapy is more likely to aim to sort out specific problems.
Analysis is more likely to occur more than once per week, and is long term - maybe 2 or more years? The patient often lies on the couch with the analyst out of sight.
In analysis you are supposed to free associate - say whatever comes into your head. The analyst is, as you say, less likely to intervene than a psychotherapist. They will reflect back and point out things to you that you cannot see for yourself. They don't direct or advise you. The aim of analysis is to become aware of and to resolve unconscious conflicts.
My T is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist, so some of these aspects of analysis apply.
Posted by shrinking violet on August 18, 2004, at 19:35:22
In reply to Therapy / Analysis - whats the difference?, posted by pretty_paints on August 17, 2004, at 10:52:11
I happen to be reading "Ending Therapy: The Meaning of Termination" by Terry A. Kupers, M.D, and it touches a bit on this subject:
"There are discussions among psychoanalysts about what differentiates psychoanalysis from psychotherapy. Ticho (1970) identifies three significant differences: the free-association technique and couch employed in psychoanalysis foster deeper regression; the analyst is 'neutral' and avoids becoming a model, whereas the therapist is more of a model, is more active in the encounter, and does a certain amount of 'reeducation'; and the analyst makes only insight-producing interventions, while the therapist might also give advice, be supportive, and so forth. According to Ticho, psychotherapy can accomplish as much in terms of symptom reduction but results in less resolution of unconscious conflict and less autonomy. Merton Gill (1954) suggests that the crucial ingredient that differentiates psychoanalytic psychotherapy from other therapeutic approaches is the therapist's persistent focus on interpretation of the transference. Lifschutz (1984) agrees with Gill, and would even call all other forms of therapy by some other name, for instance, 'counseling'" (Kuper, 45-46).
Source: Kuper, Terry A. (1988). Ending therapy: The meaning of termination. New York University Press, 45-46p.
I hope this helps some!!
Posted by lucy stone on August 18, 2004, at 23:05:14
In reply to Therapy / Analysis - whats the difference?, posted by pretty_paints on August 17, 2004, at 10:52:11
I am doing an analysis, I go 4 times a week and lie on a couch. In my case the major difference between therapy and analysis is frequency and intensity. I did 9 months of therapy with my analyst before I moved into a full analysis. I am currently in my 4th year. The couch is a useful tool that allows me to focus totally on my thoughts. I am not distracted by trying to read his expression or body language, all I have is his voice coming from behind my head. What happens basically is that I talk a lot, I suppose it's free association but we never use that term. I talk about my life, my feelings for him, my feelings for others in my life, the way I approach things that happen in my life, my past life, my current life, my parents, just every thing really. He talks a lot, he's not silent like analysts were in the old days. He gives me interpretations, which are his insights into why I think and act the way I do. An analysis is more about an exploration of yourself that a way to solve specific problems. It is supposed to free you from your old conflicts and ways of thinking. It has definately helped me, during my analysis I have stopped an addiction and an eating disorder or 20 years duration. I can enjoy sex with my husband for the first time in our 29 years of marriage, and I don't rage at my children. I always have enough time to talk about everything I need to, I don't need to make lists or prioritize what I want to talk about. If one session doesn't go well there is always another and another. I can tell him anything and have opened him to my deepest and darkest secrets. It is profound to have someone know the worst things about you and still be met with understanding and respect. It is very expensive and takes up lots of time, but to me it is worth it.
Posted by lucy stone on August 18, 2004, at 23:10:19
In reply to Re: Therapy / Analysis - whats the difference?, posted by shrinking violet on August 18, 2004, at 19:35:22
Hmmm...I think this is a bit dated. Modern analysis is much different from what was being done in 1954! My anayst is deffinately supportive although he will offer advice on some things but not on others. We work with transferrance but analysing the transferrance is not a major part of what we do. As I said in a previous post, for me the main difference between the psychodynamic therapy I did with him and my analysis is the frequency and therefore the intensity of what we do.
> I happen to be reading "Ending Therapy: The Meaning of Termination" by Terry A. Kupers, M.D, and it touches a bit on this subject:
>
> "There are discussions among psychoanalysts about what differentiates psychoanalysis from psychotherapy. Ticho (1970) identifies three significant differences: the free-association technique and couch employed in psychoanalysis foster deeper regression; the analyst is 'neutral' and avoids becoming a model, whereas the therapist is more of a model, is more active in the encounter, and does a certain amount of 'reeducation'; and the analyst makes only insight-producing interventions, while the therapist might also give advice, be supportive, and so forth. According to Ticho, psychotherapy can accomplish as much in terms of symptom reduction but results in less resolution of unconscious conflict and less autonomy. Merton Gill (1954) suggests that the crucial ingredient that differentiates psychoanalytic psychotherapy from other therapeutic approaches is the therapist's persistent focus on interpretation of the transference. Lifschutz (1984) agrees with Gill, and would even call all other forms of therapy by some other name, for instance, 'counseling'" (Kuper, 45-46).
>
> Source: Kuper, Terry A. (1988). Ending therapy: The meaning of termination. New York University Press, 45-46p.
>
> I hope this helps some!!
Posted by lucy stone on August 19, 2004, at 8:16:01
In reply to Re: Therapy / Analysis - whats the difference?, posted by lucy stone on August 18, 2004, at 23:10:19
Here's a link about modern psychoanalysis:
Posted by shrinking violet on August 19, 2004, at 11:45:11
In reply to Re: Therapy / Analysis - whats the difference?, posted by lucy stone on August 18, 2004, at 23:10:19
hi lucy,You're right, it is dated, and even the author acknowledges this (although I think there is a much more common occurrence for contemporary analysts to follow the traditional "unseen, mostly unheard" presence in the room). The book doesn't go into too much detail on this subject anyway, since the book revolves around the termination issue. I just wanted to offer it as a general guideline as to how the two can be different (since I have no personal experience with analysis).
Thanks for your thought. Your response was helpful to understanding a bit more what analysis consists of especially since it isn't something I wouldn't venture into (and that it isn't always what we assume it is, although the couch and the analyst sitting out of sight are what I think of when I think of analysis). I'm glad it's helped you so much! (I have an ED too...over ten years now, and nothing seems to shake it). Take care.
> Hmmm...I think this is a bit dated. Modern analysis is much different from what was being done in 1954! My anayst is deffinately supportive although he will offer advice on some things but not on others. We work with transferrance but analysing the transferrance is not a major part of what we do. As I said in a previous post, for me the main difference between the psychodynamic therapy I did with him and my analysis is the frequency and therefore the intensity of what we do.
>
>
> > I happen to be reading "Ending Therapy: The Meaning of Termination" by Terry A. Kupers, M.D, and it touches a bit on this subject:
> >
> > "There are discussions among psychoanalysts about what differentiates psychoanalysis from psychotherapy. Ticho (1970) identifies three significant differences: the free-association technique and couch employed in psychoanalysis foster deeper regression; the analyst is 'neutral' and avoids becoming a model, whereas the therapist is more of a model, is more active in the encounter, and does a certain amount of 'reeducation'; and the analyst makes only insight-producing interventions, while the therapist might also give advice, be supportive, and so forth. According to Ticho, psychotherapy can accomplish as much in terms of symptom reduction but results in less resolution of unconscious conflict and less autonomy. Merton Gill (1954) suggests that the crucial ingredient that differentiates psychoanalytic psychotherapy from other therapeutic approaches is the therapist's persistent focus on interpretation of the transference. Lifschutz (1984) agrees with Gill, and would even call all other forms of therapy by some other name, for instance, 'counseling'" (Kuper, 45-46).
> >
> > Source: Kuper, Terry A. (1988). Ending therapy: The meaning of termination. New York University Press, 45-46p.
> >
> > I hope this helps some!!
>
>
Posted by Dr. Bob on August 20, 2004, at 12:04:36
In reply to Re: Therapy / Analysis - whats the difference?, posted by shrinking violet on August 18, 2004, at 19:35:22
> I happen to be reading "Ending Therapy: The Meaning of Termination" by Terry A. Kupers, M.D, and it touches a bit on this subject...
I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
The first time anyone refers to a book without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
Posted by shrinking violet on August 20, 2004, at 12:51:45
In reply to Re: double double quotes » shrinking violet, posted by Dr. Bob on August 20, 2004, at 12:04:36
Thanks for letting me know, I wasn't aware of that feature. Although, just for the sake of it, I searched for the book on Amazon and it's out-of-print. The copy I'm currently reading I obtained at my University's library. Thanks for letting me know for the future!
> > I happen to be reading "Ending Therapy: The Meaning of Termination" by Terry A. Kupers, M.D, and it touches a bit on this subject...
>
> I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
>
> The first time anyone refers to a book without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
>
> Thanks!
>
> Bob
Posted by Dr. Bob on August 22, 2004, at 0:36:04
In reply to Re: double double quotes » Dr. Bob, posted by shrinking violet on August 20, 2004, at 12:51:45
This is the end of the thread.
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