PSYCHOANALYSIS AND PSYCHOTHERAPY IN LJUBLJANA:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
'Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak
whispers the o'er-fraught heart and bids it break.'
Shakespeare (Macbeth - Act IV Scene III)
A guide to understanding psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic therapy as we practice it at the International Center for Lacanian Psychoanalysis in Ljubljana, Slovenia - how it works, what to expect, and how it can help.
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What is psychoanalysis?
Psychoanalysis is a therapeutic method that explores the unconscious causes of psychological difficulties through speech. You are invited to speak freely about whatever comes to mind—memories, dreams, fears, contradictions—without censorship.
The psychoanalyst listens attentively, creating a safe space for expression. Rather than proposing quick solutions, psychoanalytic therapy asks: What are your symptoms trying to say?
Over time, new meanings emerge from your own words, and your relation to suffering or repetitive patterns may begin to shift from within.
"Psychoanalysis is a "talking cure" invented by Freud (…) in which the central focus is the patient’s own work of elaboration, supported by the analyst. However, it is not only a therapy, because its functioning is based not merely on the desire to be cured of suffering, but also—and above all—on a desire to know the unconscious cause of one’s own suffering. The more the patient—whom Lacan calls the “analysand” to emphasise their active role in the treatment—gets to the root of their suffering and its causes, the more therapeutic effects arise, but as Freud says, “in addition,” as a consequence of this process of elaboration."
— Domenico Cosenza, psychoanalyst
Who can benefit from psychoanalysis and psychotherapy?
Psychoanalytic therapy in Ljubljana addresses a wide range of mental health and emotional challenges:
Anxiety and stress-related concerns:
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Anxiety disorders, panic attacks, and persistent fear
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Phobias and obsessive-compulsive patterns
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Post-traumatic stress (PTSD)
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Work-related stress and burnout
Depression and mood concerns:
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Depression and existential malaise
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Grief, mourning, and loss
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Low self-esteem and lack of direction
Relationship and intimacy issues:
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Difficulties in relationships, intimacy, or parenthood
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Sexual difficulties and questions about desire
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Family conflicts
Identity and life transitions:
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Identity questions, including gender identity
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Cultural transition, expat experiences, or living between languages
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Adolescent difficulties
Creative and performance concerns:
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Creative blocks and performance anxiety
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Stage fright for artists and performers
Other psychological concerns:
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Eating disorders
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Self-harm and repetitive destructive behaviors
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Sleep disorders
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The aftermath of abuse or violence
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Repetitive patterns that cause suffering
You do not need a formal diagnosis to begin therapy— it is enough that something in your life causes suffering or raises questions you wish to address.
How does a psychotherapy session work?
Getting started with therapy in Ljubljana
In the initial consultation, you can speak about what brings you to seek help. Preliminary interviews over the next weeks help assess whether this approach suits you.
The analytic setting
You are invited to use the couch when visual support for speech is no longer necessary. From this point, you become an "analysand," emphasizing your active role in the process.
The psychoanalyst's approach
Lacanian psychoanalysts embrace surprise as a catalyst. The analyst may speak or remain silent according to what the session requires.
Each session’s duration is variable and follows the logic of the treatment, not the clock. In Lacanian psychoanalysis, time is measured by moments of insight, speech, or emotional emergence. This variable timing ensures that the analytic work respects the rhythm of your speech and your experience, rather than being constrained by external schedules.
"The analyst is called upon to give utmost importance to the word of the analysand, therefore silence is absolutely well-suited to the analyst. It is not easy to remain silent because the most natural thing is to speak, especially when someone asks us something. But the analyst knows, by training, that the word that truly matters is not their own, but that of the analysand's unconscious, which does not emerge if its fertile space is occupied by the word of another. For this reason, the analyst is called to economize their words, so that when they decide to use speech, it has the resonance needed to hit the mark, as happens in every true interpretation."
— Domenico Cosenza, psychoanalyst
How often are therapy sessions? How long does treatment take?
Sessions typically meet one to three times per week. Some patients prefer weekly sessions, while others benefit from more frequent meetings.
The duration of psychoanalytic treatment is not predetermined: it can vary widely and is adapted to your individual needs. The key question is whether the treatment addresses the root causes of suffering. Approaches that promise quick fixes often provide only temporary relief, which can lead to symptoms returning or persisting in different forms.
The psychoanalyst commits to being present for the necessary time, without holding you beyond what is needed.
How much does psychoanalysis cost?
Fees are discussed individually, with consideration for each patient’s circumstances.
Psychoanalysis is an investment in mental health and freedom, often offering benefits beyond what shorter-term or purely symptomatic approaches provide.
What results can I expect from psychoanalytic treatment?
Successful psychoanalytic therapy can bring:
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Relief from symptoms and psychological suffering
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Deeper understanding of yourself and your emotions
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The ability to make choices with increased freedom, unburdened by the past
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Transformation of your ability to communicate and to love
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Development of psychological freedom and self-esteem
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Improved mental health and emotional wellbeing
What's the difference between psychoanalysts, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other therapists?
Understanding different mental health professionals can help you choose the right therapeutic approach.
Psychiatrist - A medical doctor who treats mental health disorders primarily through medication. Psychiatrists focus on brain chemistry and neurological function. Medication addresses symptoms at a biological level but does not explore what those symptoms mean specifically in your life.
Psychologist - Mental health professionals with psychology degrees who assess psychological functioning and may help clients enhance specific capacities or address particular issues through counseling.
Psychotherapist - A broad term for various therapeutic approaches:
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Cognitive-behavioral therapists focus on correcting symptoms and behaviors through techniques
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Family therapists work with family dynamics or issues
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Psychoanalysts explore unconscious causes through speech and elaboration
Why choose psychoanalysis in Ljubljana?
It works with the unconscious roots of suffering, transforming your relationship to symptoms in a way that symptom-focused approaches cannot.
When should I seek help from a therapist?
Psychological distress can be as debilitating as physical pain. While people readily visit a doctor for physical symptoms, mental health concerns are often neglected until they become severe.
If anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, creative blocks, or unease are affecting your life, that can be a sufficient reason to reach out.
