“Two people, a Patient and Psychoanalyst, meet at set times each week; the Patient is free to say whatever comes to mind. Sometimes, the Psychoanalyst might act as a catalyst, speaking in order to help the Patient who is silent and blocked; or might also clarify, underline something striking, and then interpret what has been said or done. Interpretation here means to draw out later meanings. The Patient perhaps agrees or disagrees, moves off tangent, adding detail, feeling moved and well understood, or positively annoyed. He or she makes use of an interpretation or not. They talk and listen to each other, or sometimes fail to. Through these encounters, an unusual opportunity exists to explore the workings of the Patient’s mind, and to bring about change.”
–“Psychoanalysis: A Very Short Introduction”