ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Intersubjective psychoanalysis

Intersubjective psychoanalysis is like when you and your friend both know a secret or have a special inside joke that only you two understand. It's a way of talking about feelings and thoughts that are really important to you, but that might be hard to explain to other people.

In intersubjective psychoanalysis, instead of just talking about what you're thinking or feeling, you also pay attention to how the other person is reacting to what you're saying. You might notice if they look sad or happy, or if they seem to understand what you're trying to tell them.

This way of talking is different from just telling someone else what's on your mind, because it's more like you're building something together. You're creating a shared understanding of what's going on inside of each of you, and coming up with ways to help each other feel better about things that might be hard.

Intersubjective psychoanalysis can be helpful for people who have experienced trauma or have ongoing mental health challenges. By working with a therapist or counselor who practices this type of psychoanalysis, people can build connections with others, learn how to express their feelings in a healthy way, and feel less alone in their struggles.