Psychoanalysis is a type of psychotherapy that aims to help people understand and change their behavior. Psychoanalysis was introduced by Sigmund Freud in the late 19th century, and it remains one of the most important types of psychotherapy today.
The focus of psychoanalysis is on unconscious processes, including those that affect behavior. The goal is to make these unconscious processes conscious so they can be changed. The therapist listens attentively to what the client says, but also looks for hidden meanings in the client’s words and actions. Through this process, the therapist tries to help the client understand how past experiences influence current feelings and behavior.
Actually, Psychoanalysis focuses on helping patients gain insight into themselves, rather than trying to change their behavior directly through suggestion or other methods. The goal of psychoanalysis is to bring these unconscious thoughts into consciousness so they can be analyzed and understood by the patient.
The patient lies down on a couch while talking freely about his or her problems with the analyst, who sits behind him or her out of sight. This position allows for free association — in which patients say whatever comes into their minds without censoring themselves — because there are no cues from body language or facial expressions that might inhibit them from expressing some thoughts or feelings aloud.