This blog is written for two main audiences - those considering psychoanalytic therapy or psychoanalysis and those mental health professionals who are interested in learning more about these treatments. Virtually every person who has considered seeking psychoanalytic psychotherapy or psychoanalysis has questions about it. What is it? What methods are used? How does it work? For whom is it the recommended treatment of choice? How are psychoanalysts trained? And, most importantly, will it work for me? Often, once treatment begins patients have still more questions. Family members and friends, too, want to know more about how these treatments work. Yet, there's a dearth of information written for the intelligent consumer.

This blog attempts to answer questions for those who are considering - or who are currently in this sort of treatment. As for the paucity of information written for the lay public, things are getting better. Increasingly, more analysts and psychoanalytic psychotherapists are writing books and articles designed for the interested public. So, this blog provides answers to questions, recommends helpful readings and provides information.

For mental health professionals who are interested in learning more about these treatments, it recommends readings, conferences and educational opportunities. Written by Lynn Friedman, Ph.D., a Washington, D.C. (Chevy Chase) based clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst this blog focuses on learning opportunities in the Greater Washington, DC, area. However, the posts will be of interest to people everywhere.