Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

Therapies of Depth, Insight, and Relationship

These therapies provide a way to increase self-awareness and uncover the root of symptoms and concerns. Understanding old ways of behaving, thinking, feeling, and relating leads to making different choices. As we are heard and understood without being judged, we can develop a more meaningful and successful life.

Individual Psychotherapy

Dr. Adler treats children, adolescents, and adults in individual psychotherapy. Patients learn emotional connections between their development, their internal world and current concerns. This approach helps uncover patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that affect their daily lives. When treating children and adolescents, she also meets with their parents.

Psychoanalysis

Psychoanalysis explores a wide range of patterns, conflicts and emotions in ourselves, our work and our relationships. As a result, we can uncover deep, long-lasting, and repetitive ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving in their daily lives. Through analysis and self-reflection, we learn to listen for personal meaning. Then we can understand more about ourselves and develop new ways of coping. This in-depth process involves a commitment of time and energy.

“Psychoanalysis is based on the theory that the experiences of birth, early relationships with parents, sexuality, love, loss, and death lay down patterns in the mind which provide unconscious templates, or models of relationships. Such unconscious versions of relationships are often at the root of the problems which lead people to seek help. Regular sessions with a psychoanalyst provide a setting within which these unconscious patterns can be brought into awareness and worked on with a view to change.”

– from the Institute of Psychoanalysis, United Kingdom

Child Analysis

Child analysis is an intensive form of psychotherapy. The goal is to help children progress along the path of normal development. Children who are stalled in their development or who function immaturely may benefit. Children who can benefit from analysis may exhibit a variety of behavioral and emotional symptoms including the following:

  • separation anxiety
  • school and other phobias
  • sleep, eating, or toileting disturbances
  • depression
  • temper outbursts or emotional withdrawal
  • unresolved emotional responses to trauma, parent loss, or adoption

For more information on child analysis, read Dr. Adler’s article “What is Child Analysis?”

Please refer to the resource page for other articles.

Clinical Supervision

Dr. Adler has supervised numerous mental health professionals at various stages of their training and independent practice for over thirty years. Her supervisees have included counselors, social workers, psychiatrists and child psychiatrists as well as pre- and post-doctoral psychologists. Her clinical skills include the evaluation and treatment of children, adolescent and adults; working with parents; and consulting with other professionals and organizations.

  • Individual supervision includes supervision for pre-licensure psychologists.
  • Members of supervision groups may take turns presenting cases and playing DVDs of sessions.

Consultation

Dr. Adler consults with individuals, small groups, and organizations about challenging relationships and organizational dynamics at work. Her clients include lawyers, physicians, teachers, school counselors and clergy. She helps them explore underlying motives for keeping systems the same and for facilitating change. In this process, they can increase their understanding of emotional issues and opportunities, improve coping skills, and apply principles from human development. She is currently head of the School Consultation service for the Denver Psychoanalytic Society.

In-person and HIPAA-compliant video sessions are available.

International Psychology and Psychoanalysis

Dr. Adler provides psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, consultation and supervision to Chinese mental health professionals. She has taught both in person and through videoconferencing.  Her courses have included psychodynamic psychotherapy, psychodynamics of trauma, dreams and psychological development in middle childhood and adolescence. In 2019, she presented her paper, “Confidentiality and privacy in working with children, adolescents and their parents” in Chengdu and Yichang. She also supervises groups of adult and child psychotherapists through Zoom. videoconferencing. Her courses have included psychodynamic psychotherapy, psychodynamics of trauma, dreams and psychological development in middle childhood and adolescence. In 2019, she presented her paper, “Confidentiality and privacy in working with children, adolescents and their parents” in Chengdu and Yichang. She also supervises groups of adult and child psychotherapists through Zoom.

Meditation and Relaxation

Dr. Adler teaches relaxation techniques and meditation based on Taiji Chuan, a form of meditation in movement, to selected patients coping with psychophysiological disorders, anxiety, phobias, and post-traumatic stress. She has a particular interest in Taoist psychology and psychoanalytic theory. She currently coordinates an American Psychoanalytic Association study group on Meditation and Psychoanalysis. See readings on Taiji and Psychology.

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