52 Part II Psychodynamic Theories
Applications of Psychoanalytic Theory
Freud was an innovative speculator, probably more concerned with theory build-
ing than with treating sick people. He spent much of his time conducting therapy
not only to help patients but to gain the insight into human personality necessary
to expound psychoanalytic theory. This section looks at Freud’s early therapeu-
tic technique, his later technique, and his views on dreams and unconscious slips.Freud’s Early Therapeutic Technique
Prior to his use of the rather passive psychotherapeutic technique of free associa-
tion, Freud had relied on a much more active approach. In Studies on Hysteria
(Breuer & Freud, 1895/1955), Freud described his technique of extracting repressed
childhood memories:
I placed my hand on the patient’s forehead or took her head between my hands
and said: “You will think of it under the pressure of my hand. At the moment
at which I relax my pressure you will see something in front of you or
something will come into your head. Catch hold of it. It will be what we are
looking for.—Well, what have you seen or what has occurred to you?”
On the first occasions on which I made use of this procedure... I myself
was surprised to find that it yielded me the precise results that I needed.
(pp. 110–111)
Indeed, such a highly suggestive procedure was very likely to yield the precise
results Freud needed, namely, the confession of a childhood seduction. Moreover,Freud’s consulting room. © Heeb Christian/Prisma Bildagentur AG/Alamy Stock Photo