Psychoanalytically informed therapy helps people develop a deeper understanding of themselves by exploring the links between their early development and the difficulties they may experience in the here and now.
It suggests that our minds are structured to keep certain things outside of conscious awareness. These ‘defences’ are normal and can be helpful, particularly when people have had to find ways to cope with painful situations. However, sometimes when it comes to relationships, they can become problematic.
Psychoanalytically informed therapy works with the patient to explore their unique personal history and bring into awareness their relationship patterns and conflicts. In doing so we hope to empower the person to make different choices in relationships where this would be helpful. It can also help that person to move towards greater acceptance of themselves and of certain emotions whilst also being realistic about what they cannot change.
You can find out more about what psychoanalytically informed psychotherapy on the The British Psychoanalytic Council website
We aim to help people with significant emotional and/or personality difficulties. Psychotherapy can be helpful for many people from a wide variety of backgrounds and of differing psychological problems. Psychotherapy is particularly suitable for people who are interested in understanding themselves in psychological terms, including their own contributions to their difficulties, and have capacity to reflect on these experiences.
Treatment is more likely to be effective when people are at a point in their lives when their symptoms and more risky behaviours are more stable. A degree of structure and support in their lives can help weather the hard work of therapy. It is worth noting that particularly in the early stages of therapy, symptoms may get worse before they get better.
Engaging in psychotherapy requires commitment from both the therapist and the patient. For people to gain the most from psychotherapy, timing is important. As such, we would expect people to have had some experience of at least one briefer psychological intervention in primary or secondary care before referral to our service. We would also be cautious about offering treatment in the following circumstances:
When there are high levels of risk
Risk can also include social instability, e.g. unstable housing or a changing support network.
At the end of another period of therapy
We find people who are referred at the end of another talking therapy need time to process their experience of the previous therapy. We ask people are given time to put in place what they have learned in previous therapies before considering referral to us.
When undergoing court proceedings regarding children
People in these circumstances usually do not do well because they feel unable to be open in therapy. We would request the case be fully resolved before referral to us.
If the person has been under care co-ordination and is due for discharge
Often in this case, people can become too destabilised to engage successfully in the therapeutic process. Usually, we request that the patient is not discharged at least until consultation with our team is complete and they are engaged in treatment.
Information about referrals, including the referral form, are on our main Centre for Specialist Psychological Therapies page.
Find the location that this Service is offered at using Google Maps:
This leaflet provides you with the information about group therapy sessions at the Regional Department of Psychotherapy at Benfield House, Newcastle.
Information on psychoanalytic therapies on offer which include psychoanalytic, psychodynamic and group psychotherapy. Each therapy will differ slightly in the setting and technique but are talking-therapy treatments, helpful for a wide range of people with emotional and relationship difficulties.
