Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) Practice

What is the main objective of Psychoanalytical Therapy?

1. To achieve immediate behavioral changes

2. To uncover repressed thoughts through various techniques

3. To train individuals to avoid conflict

4. To automatically prescribe medication

The correct answer is: To uncover repressed thoughts through various techniques

The main objective of Psychoanalytical Therapy is to uncover repressed thoughts through various techniques. This therapeutic approach is rooted in the concepts introduced by Sigmund Freud, emphasizing the role of the unconscious mind and its influence on behavior and emotions. By exploring deeper layers of the psyche, including childhood experiences and unconscious motivations, this therapy aims to bring these repressed thoughts and feelings into conscious awareness. Techniques such as free association, dream analysis, and examination of defense mechanisms are commonly employed to facilitate this process. In contrast, achieving immediate behavioral changes is typically more aligned with techniques found in cognitive-behavioral therapy, where the focus is on changing observable behaviors rather than exploring underlying psychological issues. Training individuals to avoid conflict overlooks the complex dynamics that might be at play, which is not the goal of Psychoanalytical Therapy. The automatic prescription of medication is outside the scope of this therapeutic approach, as Psychoanalytical Therapy emphasizes talk therapy and understanding emotional processes rather than pharmacological interventions.