Question

explain how Freud’s concept of the unconscious might be effectively used by a psychoanalytic therapist practicing today, using two techniques, and the expected outcome of these techniques.

Answer 1

Freud’s concept of the unconscious forms the fundamental basis of the techniques used by psychoanalytic therapists. One of the most frequently used technique of psychodynamic therapy is free association. Here, a therapist reads a list of emotionally valent words and the patient immediately responds with the first word that comes to mind. It is held that memories that have otherwise been repressed in the unconscious is likely to emerge during this process. Another technique used in psychoanalysis is dream interpretation. According to Freud, the conscious mind acts like a censor but it is less vigilant during sleep. He held that dreams are the pathway to the unconscious material and through them, repressed ideas come to the surface. At the same time, dreams use symbols in order to express the unconscious and therefore interpreting them is a not an easy task.