Classical psychoanalysis is a method of therapy developed by Sigmund Freud and others. It is considered a way of investigating mental processes in such a manner to achieve the goal of psychoanalysis, reduction or elimination of neuroses. Neuroses are thought to stem from experiences in childhood development. The mature adult has repressed feelings and emotions which may result in neuroses but which, through the techniques of psychoanalysis, may be brought into conscious awareness, thus eliminating the neurotic behavior.
Such techniques in classical psychotherapy involve free association, dream analysis, and others which are used to help investigate the unconscious of the individual. Getting the patient in touch with feelings and emotions is important in classical psychoanalysis, and the aim is not directed at changing behavior as much as it is helping individuals become more whole psychologically by dealing with repressed or sublimated emotions and feelings. As one family therapist who uses classical psychoanalytic techniques states “The aim is not primarily that of changing a piece of behavior so much as helping the family members to become more whole in themselves and differentiated from each other” (Box 708).
In psychodynamic therapy the mental and emotional processes underlying human behavior and its motivation are the focus of investigation, but the focus is on how present emotions and behaviors were developed unconsciously due to environmental influences. Psychodynamic theories include all of the theories evolved from the work of Freud, i.e., those that focus on unconscious mental forces. Psychodynamic theories include a diverse and wide range of theories, but one that is considered a model of psychodynamic theory is Erik Erikson’s Life Cycle Theory.
Erikson’s theory is unique in that it is a cradle-to-grave stage development theory where individuals have psychological and behavioral tasks to accomplis...