psychoanalysis
noun
- a method of analyzing psychic phenomena and treating emotional disorders that involves treatment sessions during which the patient is encouraged to talk freely about personal experiences and especially about early childhood and dreams
Wiktionary
noun
Etymology: From international scientific vocabulary, after German Psychoanalyse. By surface analysis, psycho- + analysis.
- A family of theories and methods within the field of psychotherapy that work to find connections among patients' unconscious mental processes.
“To be sure, this much I may presume you do know, namely, that psychoanalysis is a method of treating nervous patients medically.”
“Psychoanalysis has sprung many surprises on us, performed more than one volte face before our indignant eyes.”