What is Psychoanalysis? How does it Differ from Other Forms of Therapy?

When people first reach out for mental health support, they’re often unsure about the different types of therapy available — or how to decide which is right for them. In this article, I’ll explain how talking therapies work, outline the key distinctions between different approaches, and focus in particular on how psychoanalysis offers a unique path toward long-term psychological understanding and change.

✅ Note: It’s essential to work with a qualified professional who is registered with a recognised body. For reference, I am a member of the A.P.P.I. (Ireland) and the B.A.C.P. (UK).

Talking Therapy: The Foundation of Mental Health Support

Talking therapy is a broad term that refers to approaches where the main tool for healing is speaking about the difficulties we’re facing in our lives. Unlike medical models of mental health treatment, which may involve a one-off consultation and a prescription, talking therapies focus on regular, in-depth dialogue between you and a trained therapist.

The simple act of speaking openly and privately with someone who listens without judgement can, in itself, offer relief. It creates space to unpack complex emotions, name difficult experiences, and begin to process unresolved struggles.

Understanding the Language: Counselling, Psychotherapy, and Psychoanalysis

Many terms are used interchangeably — counselling, therapy, psychotherapy — but they can refer to different types of training, focus, or depth of work.

●      Counselling typically addresses current life challenges and can be more short-term or solution-focused. It often feels conversational and supportive, helping people navigate particular events or decisions.

●      Psychotherapy generally goes deeper, exploring patterns over time, early life experiences, and long-standing emotional difficulties. Psychotherapists usually train for several years and often align with a specific theoretical model (e.g., Integrative, Systemic, etc.).

In recent years, especially in Ireland and across the EU, the training paths for both counsellors and psychotherapists have become more aligned — with most new practitioners undertaking at least four years of continuous, accredited study. The same regulatory situation does not exist in the U.K., where there is no statutory regulation of the titles ‘counsellor’ or ‘psychotherapist’. This means that anyone can use these terms - so, as I highlighted right at the beginning of this piece, you’ll need to be careful when looking for someone to work with that they are properly qualified and a member of a regulatory body with a code of ethics that they must adhere to.

So, What Sets Psychoanalysis Apart?

Psychoanalysis takes the therapeutic process even further. Rooted in the work of Freud and expanded by generations of clinicians since, psychoanalysis focuses on the unconscious mind — the part of us that shapes how we think, feel, and behave without our full awareness.

This includes the thoughts, memories, and emotional conflicts we’ve buried, sometimes since childhood, because they felt too overwhelming or painful to face directly. These unresolved issues don’t disappear; they often return in the form of symptoms: low mood, chronic anxiety, poor sleep, repetitive relationship patterns, or a persistent sense of being stuck. It’s become a cliché used in psychoanalysis that such symptoms are the ‘tip of the iceberg’. They express only a small percentage of the larger issues submerged beneath the surface of conscious thought, and need to be explored and understood in the course of treatment. The psychoanalytic process helps bring these unconscious dynamics into awareness — not through quick fixes or advice-giving, but by speaking freely, following associations, and gradually uncovering the deeper meanings behind distress.

Symptoms as Signals

Many people come to therapy saying things like:
 “I keep sabotaging myself.”
 “I don’t know why I feel this way.”
 “I know this behaviour isn’t good for me, but I can’t seem to stop.”

From a psychoanalytic perspective, these aren’t random flaws — they are meaningful signals. The mind has its own logic, even if it’s not immediately visible. Therapy becomes a space to understand that logic, decode the patterns, and eventually find new ways of relating to ourselves and others.

The Value of Finding the Right Fit

It’s often the case that someone can’t say exactly what they’re looking for at the beginning of therapy. Many people start therapy because they sense something isn’t right, or because they want to understand themselves more deeply. Sometimes, it takes a couple of tries to find a therapist or an approach that feels right. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t “click” with the first person you meet. Most professionals will be happy to answer questions about how they work  before you commit to a session. Your comfort with the therapist matters, but also remember - you’re going to be confronting things in therapy you wish you didn’t have to. So discomfort is always going to accompany engaging in therapy until you resolve whatever has brought you to it. In fact, it can be a good sign that you may be done with therapy when you no longer feel that discomfort. That you’re at a point where you can ‘take it or leave it’ and the burning issues that compelled you to seek treatment have cooled off because you’ve worked on them so much.

Final Thoughts

Psychoanalysis is a powerful approach for those seeking to understand the roots of their emotional difficulties — not just manage the surface symptoms. It’s particularly suited to people who find themselves stuck in recurring patterns, overwhelmed by feelings they can’t name, or simply curious about what’s going on underneath the surface of their day-to-day lives.

If you're in the Belfast area and want to explore this further, you're welcome to reach out. Together, we can begin to make sense of what’s happening in your internal world — and in doing so, create space for lasting change.