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Learn more about psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis is an in-depth, long-term form of talking therapy that explores how unconscious thoughts, early experiences, and unresolved conflicts shape the way you feel and behave today. Founded by Sigmund Freud, it works from the idea that much of what drives us sits below conscious awareness, and that bringing it into view can loosen patterns that have felt stuck for years. It is the most intensive and exploratory of the talking therapies, and the tradition from which many later approaches, including psychodynamic therapy, developed.
Unlike shorter, skills-based therapies, psychoanalysis is open-ended and focuses on understanding rather than quick symptom relief.
Psychoanalysis usually involves regular sessions over an extended period, often more than once a week. The relationship with your analyst is central, and the pace is unhurried by design: the aim is depth of understanding rather than a fixed number of sessions.
Some of the methods an analyst may use include:
- Free association. You say whatever comes to mind without filtering it, which can surface thoughts and feelings you would not reach deliberately.
- Exploring the past. You examine early relationships and experiences, on the basis that they continue to influence present patterns.
- Working with the therapeutic relationship. Feelings that arise towards your analyst can reveal how you relate to others more widely, and become material for the work.
Psychoanalysis suits people who want to understand the roots of their difficulties in depth, rather than manage symptoms in the short term. It is used for clinical conditions and for broader questions of meaning and self-understanding.
- Depression: Psychoanalysis explores the underlying feelings and early experiences that may sustain low mood, rather than targeting symptoms directly. It is a longer-term option, and can suit people for whom shorter approaches have not reached the root of things.
- Anxiety: Rather than teaching techniques to manage anxiety, psychoanalysis looks at the unconscious conflicts and fears that may drive it. Expect slow, exploratory work aimed at lasting change rather than quick relief.
- Personal development: Many people enter psychoanalysis without a specific diagnosis, seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and their patterns. Expect open-ended exploration of how you think, relate, and make choices.
- Individuation: For those drawn to depth-psychological traditions, psychoanalysis offers a way to understand and integrate less conscious parts of the self over time. Expect a focus on meaning and the longer arc of psychological growth.
It's Complicated is a therapist-founded mental health platform connecting clients with verified practitioners across Europe and globally, in over 60 languages. We work with over 2,500 vetted therapists, with in-person availability in Berlin, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Lisbon, Vienna, and other major cities, alongside online sessions worldwide. It's Complicated is free to use, and you pay your chosen therapist directly at rates they set.
Psychoanalysis is a substantial commitment, and finding an analyst you can work with over the long term matters more than with briefer therapies. Our matching service is built to remove that friction. You complete a short survey, our psychologists combine data-driven insights with human judgement to identify the right therapists for your situation, and you choose from a shortlist of strong candidates. You can also browse our directory directly if you'd prefer to choose yourself, including practitioners who work online.
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