Psychoanalysis is increasingly present in everyday language and pop culture. However, it is still surrounded by prejudices that make it seem unattainable for the average person or reduce it to the idea that Freud only spoke about sex and mothers (topics he did discuss a lot, but he spoke about much more!).

Since this clarification requires some background, I have structured this text under the following topics:

• Background

• Foundation

• Psychoanalysis vs. Psychotherapy

• Psychoanalysis Today

• Is Psychoanalysis Right for Me?

Background

To understand what psychoanalysis is today, we must go back to its origins in order to see the context of its evolution since it was established as a clinical method.

At the beginning of the 20th century, mental health disorders were poorly studied and treated mainly with methods based on prejudice, many of which still persist.

During his career as a neurologist, Freud met the French physician Josef Breuer, who was already trying to study patients diagnosed with mental health problems and used hypnosis as a primary method. However, Breuer noticed that patients diagnosed with hysteria experienced symptom relief when they explained their subjective experience to him, which was an unusual procedure at the time, as patients were usually placed in the position of receivers of information and instructions. In fact, it was a patient, the famous Anna O., who coined the term “talking cures.” Interestingly, Freud once described her as the true founder of the psychoanalytic approach.

This historical vignette introduces two aspects that became crucial in this new approach:

1. Symptoms came to be seen as manifestations of emotional suffering resulting from subjective experiences, rather than being reduced to physiological dysfunction.

2. Treatment was carried out through “talking therapy” and not through medical procedures.

At this point, the basis of what has since been incorporated into psychotherapies over the last decades was established. Over time, theoretical approaches multiplied (cognitive-behavioral, phenomenological, family therapy, etc.).

Psychoanalysis thus opened the door for the development of psychotherapies, but today it can be classified as a distinct theoretical body.

Foundation

We can consider 1900 the year when psychoanalysis was founded by Sigismund Freud, with the publication of The Interpretation of Dreams.

Referring to Freud’s own words, the concepts of the unconscious, interpretation, resistance, and transference define psychoanalysis. Put simply, psychoanalysis analyzes the mental processes underlying symptoms and behaviors, interpreting what the patient speaks freely during sessions and how the patient relates to the therapist.

Psychotherapy vs. Psychoanalysis

Some of the founding concepts of psychoanalysis are partially used by other theoretical fields. Still, only psychoanalysis uses them fully and in combination, and this is where the fundamental difference lies between psychoanalysis and psychotherapies.

• Psychoanalysis works on the investigation and understanding of symptoms.

• Psychotherapies work on the elimination of symptoms.

Therefore, they are different approaches with different objectives and perspectives, although they may share some theoretical concepts and address the same subject: mental health.

Paraphrasing Freud, psychoanalysis combines both an investigative method and a treatment method. It is not the product of theoretical speculation, but of experience, which means it is not finished but constantly evolving.

This transformation has taken place through various schools of psychoanalytic thought, led by authors who built upon Freud’s work and expanded his initial theories. This proliferation is crucial because it enriches both theory and practice.

These theoretical frameworks differ in how they think about the significant issues that psychoanalysis set out to understand in the human psyche, such as nature versus culture, the place of aggression, and early childhood relationships.

Although some psychoanalysts may identify predominantly with a specific psychoanalytic school, contemporary psychoanalysis must consider the contributions of the various authors, as only in this way can it maintain a critical spirit and a flexible mind that are truly useful to patients.

Contemporary Psychoanalysis

With all this in mind, psychoanalysis is a process for anyone willing to gain a deep understanding of themselves through a journey of profound reflection on the interaction between their personality and the different dimensions of their life. This process fosters internal resources that are more structured, adaptable, spontaneous, and independent.

As a theory, psychoanalysis is useful for understanding the full spectrum of mental health issues, as well as cultural and social dilemmas. However, each psychoanalyst may naturally have more experience or academic investment in particular topics—factors that can be considered when choosing a therapist.

Is Psychoanalysis Right for Me?

As psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott once said: “Broadly speaking, analysis is for those who want it, need it, and can stand it.”

My interpretation of this idea is that psychoanalysis makes sense for those who are willing to gain a deep understanding of themselves through a journey of reflection on the interaction between their personality and the different dimensions of their life. Furthermore, this process will foster internal resources that are more structured, adaptable, spontaneous, and independent.

Psychoanalysis is not a process for those who expect an approach that will provide predefined techniques to help them become more functional. In that case, psychoanalysis can be a very frustrating process, as that is not the aim of this approach. Instead, it takes its time to explore perspectives, develop ideas, and investigate how we conceive of ourselves as subjects.

It is not a matter of which is better—Psychotherapy or Psychoanalysis. They are very different methods designed for different purposes, and may each be appropriate in different contexts.

As a theory, psychoanalysis is useful in understanding the whole range of mental health issues, cultural dilemmas, and social challenges. This means that, regardless of your symptoms or prior diagnosis, psychoanalysis may be helpful for you.