Based on Sigmund Freud’s theory of psychoanalysis, talk therapies like psychoanalytic therapy have developed their techniques. Freud’s theory of psychoanalysis talks about how our unconscious mind influences our actions, feelings, and thoughts.
The key concept of psychoanalytic therapy on which the techniques are formed is that our past experiences (childhood life) influence our present life and our behavior especially. So according to Freudians, by exploring childhood experience you can find a solution for your current problems.
The techniques used in psychoanalytic therapy have been seen to work wonders, especially in the case of emotional disorders. These techniques help you go to the bottom of your problems and help you treat the root itself.
Without further ado, let’s look at the main techniques used in psychoanalytic therapy…
Main Techniques Of Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalytic therapy functions on the basis of the theory of psychoanalysis by Freud. The key concept of psychoanalysis states that the answer to all our problems is hidden in our past experiences.
Freud specifically stressed the fact that whatever happens to us and around us during our childhood has a direct influence on our adult life. Therefore, all the techniques used in psychoanalytic therapy focus on past experiences and memory.
Also read: 10 Common Dreams And Their Meanings Explained By Psychology
The 4 main techniques used by psychoanalytic therapists to help you recognize self-defeating patterns are;
Transference analysis
Dream analysis
Interpretation
Free association
Let’s have a look at these in detail:
1.Transference Analysis
The idea of transference analysis comes from the fact that your behavior and action toward your therapist can tell a lot about your childhood experiences. The therapist uses this information to conclude how their past would have been.
Therefore, the therapist can draw information from your body language, thoughts, and behaviors towards them to gain some insight into your unconscious mind. However, in some cases, countertransference can also happen where the therapist’s unconscious thoughts and feelings about the patient come to the surface.
2.Dream Analysis
Sigmund Freud believed that our unconscious mind stores a lot of information about ourselves that once uncovered can solve most of our issues. According to Freud, dreams are a representation of our unconscious and subconscious minds. Therefore, analyzing our dreams can be a great way to uncover the unconscious.
Psychoanalytic therapists use dream analysis to identify those thoughts, beliefs, or feelings that might be unconsciously bothering you. They help you recall your dreams and try to note some key information from the dreams you remember. They then analyze patterns, symptoms, or similarities in your dreams to conclude.
3.Interpretation
Interpretation is one of the most important techniques of psychoanalytic therapy. In this technique, the therapist tries to piece together all the information they might have drawn from the patient. They bring all the information together and try to connect all dots. Most information is drawn from body language, emotional expressions, and other forms of verbal and nonverbal communication.
This technique can be done with or without the patient. All thought the best results can be found in the therapist and the patients sitting together to interpret the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs uncovered from the unconscious mind. These interpretations then help in recognizing the problems and finding proper interventions for them.
4.Free Association
Free association is one of the most used psychoanalytic techniques. The best part about free association is that it doesn’t restrict the patient in any way. You are free to talk about anything you feel like, you can deviate from one topic to the other, and there is no direction required.
In free association, psychoanalytic therapy focuses on something called the stream of consciousness. This means that you are just supposed to follow where your thoughts are taking you and simply express everything that comes to your mind without filtering your thoughts. This technique helps in bringing unconscious thoughts, fears, shame, and motivations to light.
That’s All Folks!
I hope you found this blog about psychoanalytic therapy techniques helpful, informational, and interesting. Do share this blog with your friends and family or those who are thinking of taking psychoanalytic therapy d so that they know what to expect during therapy.
Thanks for reading.
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