Is psychoanalysis a therapy? Differences and similarities between analysis and therapy

Psychoanalysis or therapy? Every therapeutic process is a cry for help.

This is a very common question: is doing psychoanalysis the same as doing therapy?The answer is: yes and no. Both processes have therapeutic effects and can transform a person’s life. However, there are important differences in how each one is understood and conducted.

Psychoanalysis is a therapeutic practice but, by definition of its method, it is not considered a conventional “therapy.” Just like in therapy, the process takes place through speech, but the psychoanalytic technique focuses on the unconscious. Its aim is to deeply investigate the root of a symptom, which may be connected to childhood experiences, to words, or to stories that shaped a person’s life.

Conventional therapy, on the other hand, focuses on treating the symptom itself, often with a more practical and goal-oriented approach, such as changing patterns of thought and behavior. Since behavior belongs to the realm of the conscious, this type of treatment tends to be more direct, suggestive, and focused on immediate problem-solving.

Psychoanalysis, in contrast, delves into the depth of the problem, exploring repetitive patterns and enigmas of one’s own history. Accessing what is hidden can lead to the re-signification of memories and experiences, transforming the way a person relates to their problems and their effects.

Singularity and treatment length in psychoanalysis

The analysis seeks the uniqueness of each subject

Another key difference lies in duration. Conventional therapy is usually shorter, precisely because it focuses on practical goals. Psychoanalysis, however, often lasts longer, as it seeks to uncover the roots of internal conflicts, family dynamics, and childhood experiences that still echo in the present.

In analysis, the individual is not merely a “patient,” but someone actively engaged in investigating their own singularity, beyond social norms and expectations.

A metaphor to reflect on

Symbolically, therapy can be compared to a journey with a ready-made itinerary. Analysis, in turn, is like being a traveler who builds their own path, discovering hidden and unplanned landscapes along the way.

Both therapy and psychoanalysis have the power to change the course of life. And you, are you ready to give a new meaning to your story?

Elucidating the hidden symptom can clear the mind.