The thinking behind treatment
Psychoanalytic theory examines patterns in behavior and relationships from infancy and beyond. These patterns can create conflicts resulting in bothersome symptoms or emotional difficulties. In psychotherapy and psychoanalysis we – together you and I, will make sense of the surface symptoms as well as the hidden unconscious features underneath.
I don’t give advice, rather you are helped to find ways to develop your own skills for making decisions. Together we discuss the conflicts, contradictions and muddles you face in the present whilst at the same time, thinking about their roots in the past. Together we untangle and comb them through. Who you are on the surface is more than how you appear and more than the effect of your history. There are also unknown and unconscious aspects which we explore through your dreams and the associations that you make to them.
Although this form of therapy tends to take longer than other forms of therapy, its results have been found to last longer and therefore are more effective. Read more in the following article:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/jan/07/therapy-wars-revenge-of-freud-cognitive-behavioural-therapy
The key ingredients of therapy:
These key ingredients are total privacy, careful listening, no criticism and deep understanding. This allows for a safe place where intimate issues and worries can be discussed.
I offer a relationship where you are invited to discuss your most personal and hidden feelings and ideas. Its often sore, embarrassing and shameful. you share and in turn you will receive respect, kindness and honesty.
Phases of treatment:
1. Assessment Phase
We get to know each other over a few sessions and decide together how best to proceed. A good fit is very important. We will discuss the option of both psychotherapy and psycho-analysis.
2. Treatment Phase
Sessions are always regular and often frequent to maintain the depth of the conversations, ensure the flow of communication and to support the changes that occur. For this reason I will ask you to agree to keeping all your appointments.
Strong feelings are usually elicited, sometimes positive and often negative. I always welcome your feelings and thoughts. They are the main ingredient of our work together. We will discuss what they mean in relation to our relationship as well as to the outer world.
3. Ending Phase
Sometimes symptoms disappear quite quickly and it can be tempting to end the therapy. Yet, if therapy continues, deeper less known influences and causes of underlying symptoms can be resolved.
The setting:
I think that my respect for you and total confidentiality is key. My warm and supportive nature is also important. In order to help you to feel as relaxed as possible, the furniture is comfortable and there are blankets and cushions.
If you and I agree you should be best treated by psychoanalysis, you will be encouraged to lie on a couch. I dont sit in front you you, rather beside or behind you so that you are encouraged to focus inwards on your thoughts and feelings, rather than seeing my face and responses. This helps you relax and to free yourself to talk about everything and anything. You are encouraged to describe your inner imaginary world and thoughts. If you have dreams, daydreams and imaginings as well as any bodily feelings, you and i will discuss them.
· International Psychoanalysis Association
· South African Psychoanalytic Association
· Art and Psychoanalysis Group of International Psychoanalytic Association
· South African Association of Social Service Professionals
· South African Association of Social Workers in Private Practice
· South African Psychoanalytic Confederation
Fees
Money brings to any relationship complicated feelings. It is therefore important that we discuss and settle on your fees carefully. If you have feelings about them, like all feelings in therapy, we will talk about it to understand and find a way forward.
It is advisable that you check the extent of your medical aid cover before starting therapy. Starting and then having to end therapy is very taxing emotionally and counter therapeutic. Therapy is a vulnerable-making process and abruptly ending it can undermine not only the gains achieved but also cause emotional harm. It is best to agree together on an end date and prepare for the actual ending as well as discuss future concerns.
This practice is not contracted into any medical aids which means that you pay me first and then claim afterwards. Accounts are submitted at the end of the month and payments should be made within the first week of the new month. Interest is charged on outstanding accounts.
Usually the psychotherapy is intense and long term so in some medical aid plans, special representations can be made for extra funding for therapy. For example, Cathy Rogers is accepted into Discovery Health’s Social worker network where some Discovery members can apply for extension of benefits cover.
There is a cost of living annual fee increase in January