Psychoanalytic psychotherapy
with adolescents and young adults

The years between 16 and 26 are full of possibilities and challenges. For many it is a time of transition with studying, a move towards employment, sexual activity and coupling with others being primary preoccupations. Adolescent life is closely entwined with membership of peer groupings, however some young people find it hard to find their place or feel they don’t fit anywhere. Each of these domains of life carries new experiences which can threaten to overwhelm, as well as energise. Sometimes adolescents and young adults feel fearful about the uncertainties as to what awaits, and about what they are growing away from and leaving behind. This can lead to developmental crises, resulting in regression to younger states of mind or a pressure to become precociously mature, sexual risk taking or a retreat from any sexual life.

For many adolescents and young adults, the familiar structures of a family home and full-time education are giving way to the need to create one’s own structures and lifestyle for living, working, learning, socialising, and coupling. This can be a time of much excitement and experimentation. It can also bring intense anxieties, fears, depressive feelings, and insecurities which feel unfamiliar and which the individual has yet to find ways of managing. These years are ones when finding out who you are, and what your place in life might be, are to the fore. This includes working out one’s personal and sexual identity.

About the therapy

In my practice I see adolescents and young adults between 16 and 26 years. Some are young people who have recently left home for work or study, and some are young adults pursuing further studies or embarking on work life. The work usually involves two initial consultations, during which we will come to a decision as to whether psychoanalytic psychotherapy is likely to be of benefit to you. If we agree to proceed with ongoing work together, this would be on a once- or twice-weekly basis. Sessions last 50 minutes. Fees will be discussed during the consultation.

If we decide this type of help or therapy is unlikely to be of help, we can discuss what other interventions or pathways you could pursue.