on the couch

on the couch

In receipt of psychoanalysis or emotional or psychological therapy, counseling, or treatment. (In such settings, the patient often reclines on a couch while speaking to the mental health professional.) Often used to describe a psychoanalytic evaluation or study of a particular person or cultural entity. His new book aims to put the American Midwest on the couch, exploring what makes people from that region so distinct in their mannerisms, behaviors, and emotional identities.
See also: couch, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

on the couch

undergoing psychoanalysis or psychiatric treatment.
See also: couch, on
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • in receipt of
  • in receipt of (something)
  • kicking and screaming
  • describe (someone or something) to (someone)
  • describe to
  • acknowledge (the) receipt of (something)
  • acknowledge receipt of
  • receipt
  • 0-day
  • dykey
References in classic literature
He dosed himself with chlorodyne, took his own pulse, smoked a thermometer, and lay back on the couch with a suppressed groan.
Adventure
The old lady took her place companionably on the couch; she ridiculed her "lazy child's" plain dress, without an ornament of any sort on it, with her best grace; she affectionately put her arm round Mercy's waist, and rearranged with her own hand the disordered locks of Mercy's hair--but the instant Mercy herself looked at her, Lady Janet's eyes discovered something supremely interesting in the familiar objects that surrounded her on the library walls.
Placing the card on the couch at her side, she pointed with her long yellow-white forefinger to the printed letter lying side by side with her own letter on Mercy's lap.
The New Magdalen
Come and sit on the couch all the same," she said after a moment of hesitation.
I sat down on the couch and for a long time no word passed between us.
Arrow of Gold
He was aware from the sounds that the two had entered the alcove, and, prompted by a desire to know what manner of man he might next have to contend with, he slightly parted the heavy folds that hid the two from his view and looking out saw them sitting on the couch with their arms about each other, the girl with the same expressionless smile upon her face that she had vouchsafed him.
Tarzan the Untamed