Introduction to Psychoanalysis. Freud and the Unconscious

Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) is widely considered not only one of the founders of modern psychology, but also a fundamental influence on Western society in the 20th century.

As a boy, Freud aspired to become a famous scientist and originally graduated in medicine. After spending a year in Paris studying with the most eminent psychiatrist of the time, Charcot—who taught him the technique of hypnosis—Freud began treating emotionally disturbed patients, many of whom suffered from what was then known as “hysteria.”

He discovered that hypnosis was not particularly effective for him as a treatment technique and gradually developed his own method, called free association, which involved having the patient lie in a relaxed position (usually on a couch) and “say whatever comes to mind.” The stream-of-consciousness material that emerged from this process often included intense emotions, deeply buried memories, and childhood sexual experiences, and the opportunity to share these feelings and memories seemed helpful to the patients. One of them, Anna O., called this method the “talking cure.”

Freud’s treatment method became known as psychoanalysis. From the moment his theory and method became known and began to be used by others (starting in 1900), his ideas were continually modified and developed by other writers and practitioners of psychoanalysis. As a result, there are now many therapists and psychotherapists who would consider themselves working within the broad tradition initiated by Freud, but who would describe their orientation as psychodynamic rather than psychoanalytic.

In this course, we will explore the foundations of Freudian thought, the development of psychoanalytic theory in its early stages, and Freud’s understanding of the Unconscious.

Enroll now!!