A review by morgan_blackledge
A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis, by Sigmund Freud
5.0
I am extremely reluctant to embrace the psychodynamic orientation.
In fact, I have spent the majority of my training and career as therapist vehemently resistant to all things Freudian.
That being said.
I have recently become obsessed with Freud and the psychoanalytic traditions.
Not as a basis for objective truth claims. I probably won’t ever adopt the Freudian perspective in that way.
But as an orientation to relational psychotherapy.
Yass!
In this regard, the psychodynamic model is utterly on point.
I have literally noting of particular value to contribute to the scholarship and critique of this work.
But I will say.
Going to the original text is crucial.
All of my exposure to Freud until now has been via text books and other equally dubious sources.
I think that significantly contributed to my aversion and lack of clarity regarding Freuds work and legacy.
Reading the source material has been an amazing experience.
Full of cringeworthy moments, as one should expect from 19th century texts. But also full of surprisingly fresh and utterly relevant ideas as well.
The criticism is valid. Particularly the feminist and post modern critiques. But now I understand (at least a little better) what a towering genius Freud was, and what a profound impact this work had on the modern world.
I’m hooked
In fact, I have spent the majority of my training and career as therapist vehemently resistant to all things Freudian.
That being said.
I have recently become obsessed with Freud and the psychoanalytic traditions.
Not as a basis for objective truth claims. I probably won’t ever adopt the Freudian perspective in that way.
But as an orientation to relational psychotherapy.
Yass!
In this regard, the psychodynamic model is utterly on point.
I have literally noting of particular value to contribute to the scholarship and critique of this work.
But I will say.
Going to the original text is crucial.
All of my exposure to Freud until now has been via text books and other equally dubious sources.
I think that significantly contributed to my aversion and lack of clarity regarding Freuds work and legacy.
Reading the source material has been an amazing experience.
Full of cringeworthy moments, as one should expect from 19th century texts. But also full of surprisingly fresh and utterly relevant ideas as well.
The criticism is valid. Particularly the feminist and post modern critiques. But now I understand (at least a little better) what a towering genius Freud was, and what a profound impact this work had on the modern world.
I’m hooked