According to many therapists who practice this therapeutic orientation, the terms "psychoanalysis" and "psychodynamic therapy" are often used interchangeably. However, the basic distinction is more relevant in the context of therapy.
Psychoanalysis in particular has two meanings. First, it is a theory for understanding clinical presentations, and perhaps even people in general. It is also used to describe a form of intensive psychotherapy in the most classic sense, which involves long-term treatment, often for years. The treatment takes place several times a week, with the patient on a couch and conducted by a therapist who is a certified psychoanalyst.
Psychoanalytic theory, in part developed based on the intensive form of therapy described above, guides the practice of psychodynamic therapy to a large extent, but not completely.
Psychodynamic therapy is psychoanalytic for the most part and makes assumptions about how the mind works that are based on psychoanalytic theory. But the technique is radically different from a traditional psychoanalysis treatment. It is brief—15 sessions would not be unusual—and often similar in number of sessions to CBT. It is mostly delivered once per week and takes place face-to-face. The therapist may not be a certified psychoanalyst, but is someone who trained in psychoanalysis or psychodynamic therapy and considers that his or her therapeutic orientation. In APA's Div. 39 (Psychoanalysis) the term "psychoanalysis" covers the whole range of psychoanalytically oriented therapy, research and treatment.—Amy Novotney
