Is Psychoanalysis Right for You?

For Adults

When thinking about whether psychoanalysis may be right for you, consider these questions:

Do you have trouble making life decisions or taking action in important areas?

Do you struggle with lack of fulfillment or success in your work or other endeavors?

Have you had trouble establishing satisfying intimate relationships? Or do you find yourself repeating the patterns in relationships which cause you difficulty or unhappiness?

Do you feel an ongoing sense of low self worth?

Do you have creative “blocks” or other inability finishing important projects or pursuits?

These are common concerns that bring people into psychoanalysis. Often psychoanalysis is the best and most long lasting treatment for such difficulties.

Do you have longstanding symptoms or depression, anxiety, or diminished capacity for pleasure?

Do you have trouble with anger?

Do you have sexual problems?

These are concerns for which Psychoanalysis may be the best treatment

Are you struggling with addiction issues?

Are you struggling with hearing voices or with ideas or beliefs that are not consistent with reality?

Do you have a history of criminal behavior or of violence toward others or toward yourself?

If this is the case, psychoanalysis is not suited to your needs.

We recommend instead that you pursue treatment through our Department of Psychiatry referral line: 212-305-6001.

For Children and Adolescents

Does your child show persistent separation anxiety or other excessive fears or anxiety?

Does your child seem unhappy with his or her gender?

Does your child show irritability and moodiness or recurrent sadness?

Is your child overly perfectionistic?

When such behaviors exceed the usual developmental expectations in terms of intensity or duration, psychoanalytic treatment is probably appropriate.

Is your child delayed in acquiring developmental milestones?

Does your child have trouble controlling aggression and other impulses?

Is your child preoccupied with objects or ideas that make it difficult to interact with other people?

Does your child or teen abuse substances and violate basic rules?

Psychoanalysis is not suited for most problems of this nature.

We recommend instead that you pursue treatment through our Department of Psychiatry referral line: 212-305-6001.