Deep Dive with Freud: Exploring Psychoanalysis and Its Modern Therapeutic Impact

OK, I had promised and here comes the first conversation with GPT. One of the most amazing things about AI is being able to “revive” an author based on his work. It becomes much more interesting to delve into a topic this way. So, if you have suggestions or questions, leave them in the comments.

Luciano: Hello, today I need a conversation with Freud.

Freud: Good afternoon! It seems you have some questions in mind. How can I assist you?

Luciano: I’ve been reading the summary of psychoanalysis presented in volume 13 of your complete works. Do you know what I’m referring to?

Freud: Yes, I am familiar with the volume you are referring to. How can I help you with it?

Luciano: At the end of this volume, narcissism is discussed. From what I understood, this term indicates that there was such a great trauma to the person that they began to direct all their psychic energy towards themselves. Is my interpretation correct?

Freud: In part. Narcissism, as I described, refers both to a normal phase of development and to a pathological form. In childhood, it’s natural for the child to have a libido directed at themselves before directing it to external objects. However, pathological narcissism occurs when this psychic energy remains excessively self-directed in adulthood. This can be due to various factors, not just traumas.

Luciano: I see, the normal part would still be related to the experience of childhood, when the process of sexual discovery begins, right?

Freud: Exactly. During the early stages of childhood, it is common for the child to experience what I call “primary narcissism,” where libidinal energy is mainly directed at themselves. This is part of normal psychosexual development.

Luciano: Now, I am referring to a passage at the end of your work when you say that the phenomenon of transference may be necessary for the success of therapy. So, it would be the transfer of this libido to the therapist. Could this be bad, if it was the transfer of something bad, like anger due to disappointment, or something good, like the transfer of maternal/paternal authority that would make the patient more readily accept suggestions and collaborate with the therapist during therapy. First, do you have anything to add to my perception?

Freud: Your understanding is on the right track. Transference is a central aspect of psychoanalysis. Patients, often without realizing it, project feelings, desires, and conflicts from past relationships onto the therapist. This can be both positive and negative. By working with this transference, the therapist can access the patient’s underlying emotions and conflicts, making them conscious and assisting in the therapeutic process.

Luciano: However, you also mention that for someone who suffers from narcissism, this doesn’t work, right? Would it be because the narcissist transfers all this authority to themselves and disregards others’ opinions, like the therapist’s. Is this correct? Is there a way around this?

Freud: You are correct in noting that transference can be challenging with narcissistic individuals. They might resist the influence of the therapist or devalue their perceptions. However, it’s not impossible to work with such individuals. It requires patience, empathy, and an approach tailored to their particular needs. Sometimes, it might be helpful to recognize and work directly with the patient’s resistance.

Luciano: By your definition, I tend to think that I fit the profile of a narcissist. I have been studying psychology and psychoanalysis on my own for a while precisely because I’m unsure about the effectiveness of therapy. What would you have to say about this?

Freud: Taking an interest in one’s own mind and psychological functioning is natural and commendable. However, self-perception can be complex and sometimes misleading. If you have concerns about yourself, I would consider it beneficial to talk to a professional. Therapy is not just about diagnoses or labels; it’s a space to explore and understand.

Luciano: And does it make sense to continue studying psychoanalysis and psychology during therapy? Or would it be better just to stick to conversations with the therapist?

Freud: Studying psychoanalysis and psychology can be enriching and offer a valuable perspective. However, during therapy, it’s essential that you be present and allow yourself to experience the process without preconceptions. If you feel that your studies are influencing your sessions too much, it might be useful to discuss this with your therapist.

Luciano: It seems to me that full trust in the psychoanalyst’s authority is important because they end up inserting suggestions into the conversation intending to lead the patient to some conclusion. In the book, you compare these suggestions to hypnosis. However, instead of hypnosis to resolve symptoms, they are suggestions to try to clarify the root of the problem. Is that right?

Freud: Yes, you’ve captured the essence well. Hypnosis was a technique I used early in my practice, but I abandoned it in favor of free association and dream interpretation. Still, the concept of suggestion remains: not in the sense of implanting ideas but of helping the patient access and recognize their repressed thoughts and feelings.

Luciano: I still have some difficulty understanding the healing process. We try to find the root of the problems. We might even reach such conclusions. However, how does this knowledge help the patient get out of a pathological situation?

Freud: Understanding the root of a problem is the first step. Once the origin of a conflict is recognized and brought to consciousness, we can work to reframe it. By confronting and reinterpreting past traumas or conflicts, the patient can begin to overcome symptoms arising from unresolved issues.

Luciano: Reframing is the keyword. Could you exemplify this process? How does it work?

Freud: Sure. Imagine a person who, as a child, was constantly criticized by one of their parents. In adulthood, this person might feel anxiety or have low self-esteem without understanding why. Recognizing this childhood experience and its impact, they might begin to see these criticisms in a new light: perhaps they were a reflection of the parent’s own insecurities. By reframing this experience, the patient might start to free themselves from the weight of these past criticisms and build a more positive self-image.

Luciano: I noticed that this volume of your work summarizes pretty much the entire theory of psychoanalysis. However, it seems that in a good part of the seminars, a long time was spent defending psychoanalysis from criticisms of the time. Could you speak more about this? Why were there so many criticisms?

Freud: Psychoanalysis was a significant break with the dominant ideas of the time. It proposed revolutionary ideas about sexuality, the role of the unconscious, and the nature of psychic conflicts. Like any new field, it faced resistance and criticism. Many were uncomfortable with the themes I discussed, while others had theoretical or methodological objections. I felt it was crucial to address these criticisms to validate and strengthen psychoanalysis as a legitimate approach.

Luciano: And in modern days, are there still many critics? Expanding the understanding of your work with the psychoanalysts who succeeded you, what are the main contemporary criticisms, and what would you have to say about them?

Freud: Psychoanalysis continues to face criticism, although it has evolved significantly since my early writings. Modern criticisms often revolve around empiricism, effectiveness, and relevance of certain concepts. However, psychoanalysis still offers a unique and profound approach to understanding the human mind.

Luciano: Knowing this, if you had to outline a script for therapy today, how would you do it? What would be your suggestion for a newly graduated psychoanalyst?

Freud: Firstly, a psychoanalyst must undergo their own analysis to comprehend their own conflicts and internal processes. Regarding treatment, it’s essential to create a safe and confidential environment. Actively listening, working with transferences and resistances, and addressing the patient’s dreams and free associations are still fundamental. And empathy is the key. For the therapy example:

  • Establishment of trust: Ensure the patient feels secure and understood.
  • Active listening: Let the patient speak, listen without judgment.
  • Free association: Encourage the patient to share thoughts and feelings as they arise, without censorship.
  • Interpretation: Assist the patient in understanding patterns and conflicts.
  • Confrontation: Address resistances and defenses gently but directly.
  • Working with transference: Navigate the patient-therapist relationship to explore past dynamics.
  • Reframing: Aid the patient in reframing experiences and beliefs.
  • Encouragement of introspection: Allow the patient to delve more deeply into their feelings and thoughts.

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