Does Psychoanalysis Really Work?

Although not generally known and surprising to some, the effectiveness of psychoanalysis has been researched repeatedly in recent decades. Several surveys of the research have shown large Effect Sizes* (ESs) with 60% and 90% of the patients deriving meaningful and lasting improvement in symptoms.

Is psychoanalysis therapy evidence based?

There is a growing body of research into the effectiveness of psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Researchers have demonstrated good evidence for the positive effects of psychodynamic therapies for various psychological disorders, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and eating disorders.

Does psychoanalysis work as a treatment?

Research shows that psychoanalytic psychotherapy is effective in the treatment of both mild and complex mental health problems. Studies show that psychotherapy in addition to antidepressant medication significantly reduces depressive symptoms, compared to antidepressants alone.