Symptoms such as depression, anxiety, stress, etc very rarely arrive out of the blue. Usually there is a long and complex history behind these phenomena - a very personal story, unique to every individual. Although medication, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), or other forms of intervention can help alleviate such symptoms, they cannot alleviate or eradicate a person's history, their personal biography. At the same time, however, many people attempt to 'forget' their own life story, and it is only when their past makes itself known to them through various symptoms that they start to become interested in it again.

The psychoanalytic approach allows you to tell your own story, in your own time, and in your own way. In doing so, it can help you discover and explore the structures, processes and events that have shaped your own, unique history.  And by understanding and coming to terms with your past, you are then much better placed to decide how you want to live your future.  

One of the great strengths of psychoanalytic psychotherapy is that it takes seriously everything that a client brings to the sessions - even when this appears to be 'nonsense' or 'irrational'.   Indeed, the work of analysis is guided by what the client says in each session, and the therapist makes no attempt to push the client in a particular direction, or to ridicule or demean particular ideas or feelings that the client may express.  

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy is not a 'quick fix', and neither does it have a particular view on what's 'normal' or 'good'.  This can sometimes feel very frustrating, especially if you are looking for ready-made answers or some form of moral guidance.  On the other hand, it is an opportunity to find your own answers, and to explore what may be deeply held and cherished ideas, values and beliefs about how you live your life and relate to others.  In this sense, psychoanalysis can be very liberating, and offers the possibility of real and fundamental change.