[memasa (OP)]

I believe that psychoanalytic therapy is a good form of treatment in many (most?) cases. I was just wondering whether it could have any negative effects on the patient, for example in a sexual abuse case...

[David Sparkman]

The acknowledge bad side of Phsycology is the tendency for patient dependence on the counciler. Most good councilers know this, but getting a patient to stand up and take personal responsibility can take a very long time.

In addition, the ideas and opinions of the counciler are quickly and often too easily adopted by the patient. The normal, healthy sceptisim is often lost in the patient-counciler relationship. If you can take the counciler's suggestions and opinions as just another  outsider's view of you, and sort out the reasons he/she thinks that, you should be good.

Don't loose that sense of self opinion and give in totally to another's opinion of you. The counciler isn't God, and isn't always right. But a good counciler can teach you a lot about people and maybe a little about yourself.

David

[MissB]

So few psychiatric professionals use psychoanalysis anymore. It's all "brief therapy". Basically, get over it and move on! Through my work I listen to a lot of survivors of childhood trauma. They want to talk about it and try to understand why it happened and what they can do to move on. I have read that in some cases of children when trauma is too great, EMDR has worked. The child can relieve the stress of the trauma, without reliving it and retraumatizing them.

As far as people becoming overly dependent on their counselors, that can happen I suppose, but with my experience, people will seek all resources to help them with their issues. National hotlines, crisis lines and internet support groups. I think when you survive some type of abuse, you are looking for the validation from outside because it has been ripped away from you inside. When you supply your client with enough resources they learn not to depend only on you, but others also.

[memasa (OP)]

Thank you for your answers, both of you! I agree with you, MissB, sometimes it's just no use to go on the same stuff over and over again... I think it's also an issue of age (when did the abuse occur?).
I'm not abused myself, but I know someone who has been abused... She's now 27.

P.S. Would have loved to love her! Well, I guess I did... [edit] I guess I still do!

[memasa (OP)]

...And I'm not saying it's just the abuse that caused us to break up. I'm also not easiest person to be with.

And there are other things in life; the present time

- She is a former professional athlete
- She is a single mother of one lovely little girl
- She has a good job which she enjoys doing
- In my view she's mentally very strong even though those memories (or the ones she remembers) will probably accompany her for the rest of her life
- She is a positive personality despite the past