23 Things That Define Mental Health

7. The ability to assert yourself effectively and appropriately.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy, also known as psychoanalytic psychotherapy, is enjoying a renaissance. Founded by Sigmund Freud and crew, psychoanalysis was the dominant form of therapy throughout the 20th century. Its popularity waned over the years as new therapies were developed.

But now, younger therapists as well as academics (critical theory, literature departments) are rediscovering the richness and utility of psychoanalytic thinking. Research is catching up to show that it works very well and has enduring benefit that outlasts the period of therapy because it can alter one’s developmental path in life and help to change personality traits and the way an individual approaches and stewards their own life.

What Is Psychoanalysis?

Psychoanalytic therapy is, at heart, simple. Per Freud’s “Fundamental Rule”, the patient (“analysand”) tries to say whatever comes to mind, without editing it-this is called “free association.” The therapist, or analyst, for their part, listens without filtering the data, without imposing a frame for interpretation, trusting unconscious processes and discipline from training and one’s own analysis and supervision.