Dr Sarron Goldman

Psychoanalysis/Psychotherapy

Psychoanalysis - 'the talking cure' - is an intensive treatment process that requires active participation rather than being something prescribed. Treatment sessions occur at a regular time, between 1-2 times weekly for psychotherapy and more frequently in psychoanalysis. The relationship with the therapist provides a therapeutic setting for the patient to develop an understanding of themselves, The relationship with the therapist is important, as it provides an opportunity to examine established ways of thinking and relating in the here and now, as well as taking account of historical-developmental factors.

Psychoanalytic treatments are interested in the complexity and distinctness of our lives.

Psychoanalsis is the idiographic psychological treatment par exellence. Essentially this is the view that no two people are the same. Put another way - the same external forces do not impact equally on us: two people can be exposed to the same situation and react to it differently. 

Our past has an enormous bearing on our present life and experience.

Psychoanalysis shares the American novelist William Faulkner’s view – “the past is not dead it is not even the past”. There is strong evidence variously that adult mental health problems are developmental in nature; three quarters can be traced back to mental health difficulties in childhood, and 50% arise before age 14 years. I therefore believe that to understand a person it is important to understand the relationship between early experience and current emotional difficulties. This does not mean that the treatment has to be necessarily long term or that all we talk about is the past. It does mean, however, that unless we understand how the past continues to exert an effect on the present, we cannot identify what needs to change now.

Who can benefit from this type of treatment?

There is substantial evidence attesting to the effectiveness of psychoanalytic treatments. I am experienced in working with people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs. I am ardent about making a difference in the lives of my patients when facing the challenges modern life throws up for all of us. Over the course of my professional life, I have helped hundreds of people with wide-ranging problems from ordinary difficulties of life to the whole gamut of diagnosable DSM-V conditions.

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Is psychoanalytic treatment for me?

Psychoanalytic treatments are not for everyone. Commencing, I always begin with a thorough assessment to determine the nature of the problem, the most appropriate intervention and whether I would be the right person to help with this problem. The experience of the assessment should give you an idea of how I work, what is expected of you and what you can expect of me. If I am not the right person I will ensure that I connect you with someone who can help you from the wider professional community.

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"Psychoanalysis is the disciplined study of things we least want to know about ourselves" (Warren Poland).

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"Psychoanalysis brings to light everything we don't want to think about. If you can acknowledge the complexity of your own heart you're not going to look for scapegoats" (Jacqueline Rose).

"Psychoanalysis is in essence a cure through love" (Sigmund Freud).

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"Psychoanalysts are people who are more aware and more experienced to ask for help than other people because they had the opportunity to be helped by a good treatment and have the opportunity to integrate better" (Stefano Bolognini).

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