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Michael Barnard believes that setbacks are not failures, but rather inquiries into one’s own desires. At times, finding a way forward requires initially navigating through the complexities of symptoms. Individuals may choose to yield to their symptoms, leading to varied experiences of suffering, or resist them like an itch that persists. Alternatively, they might seek to anesthetize these experiences, learning to coexist with them despite their pervasive influence. During psychoanalysis, the symptom transforms into a unique pathway toward understanding one's unprecedented being. Recognized as the 'speaking cure', psychoanalysis unravels the intricacies of language—filled with shifting meanings and innuendos—highlighting the nature of human existence. Clients are shaped by their narratives and explore their identities through words. Michael advocates for free association as the foundational principle of his practice. As individuals navigate through their ingrained instincts and complex drives, including the role of reason, they often find themselves grappling with doubt. Through analysis, Michael aims to ‘shake up the box’ of thoughts and actions, facilitating new perspectives and movements that significantly enhance the quality of life for those he guides.