Posted by wittgensteinz on June 27, 2009, at 10:22:32
In reply to Re: I'm so sorry for your distress, garnet :-( » wittgensteinz, posted by garnet71 on June 27, 2009, at 7:14:48
Hi Garnet,
The majority of analysts nowadays do not do traditional 4-5 times a week psychoanalysis (or at least not most of the time). Few people can afford it (time and money wise). The most therefore offer psychoanalytic psychotherapy which can take place once to three times a week. It's perfectly possible to do this therapy once a week. I'd say twice a week is favourable though. It shouldn't be hard to find an analyst willing to conduct psychoanalytic-style therapy in a once or twice weekly session. I see my therapist twice a week. He has done full 5-times-a-week analysis with patients (I don't know if any of his current patients see him so frequently - I doubt it actually). He's said that the majority of analysts nowadays see patients less frequently and opt for a less orthodox approach. He isn't a blank slate (my feeling is that it would be more difficult to see a 'blank slate' analyst just once or twice a week than one who does bring more of himself into the room).
If you are really looking for the intensity of the traditional analysis then some institutes have schemes for people who would not otherwise be able to afford it - mostly you would then see a trainee analyst (who was under supervision). These trainees are still very qualified - they are usually psychiatrists or other mental health professionals.
I guess it depends where you live. I was amazed to find out that in the Netherlands (where I live) it's even possible to have a free traditional analysis if you go through one of the institutes but I imagine the waiting list is quite long.
Good luck with finding someone,
Witti
poster:wittgensteinz
thread:901600
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20090614/msgs/903457.html