Founders of Therapy: Sigmund Freud's Lasting Influence

Jul 1

The Origins of Modern Psychotherapy – Part 1

When people hear the name Sigmund Freud, they often think of couches, dream analysis, or jokes about "everything being about your mother."

While some of Freud's theories have not held up under modern scientific research, his influence on psychotherapy is undeniable. More than any other figure, Freud helped establish the idea that our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors may be influenced by mental processes outside of our conscious awareness.

More than 100 years later, therapists may not practice classical psychoanalysis the way Freud did, but many of the questions he asked continue to shape how we understand human behavior today.

"The interpretation of dreams is the royal road to a knowledge of the unconscious activities of the mind."
— Sigmund Freud, The Interpretation of Dreams (1900)

Who Was Sigmund Freud?

Born in 1856 in what is now the Czech Republic and later practicing in Vienna, Austria, Freud was a neurologist who developed psychoanalysis, one of the earliest formal approaches to psychotherapy.

At a time when mental illness was often misunderstood or stigmatized, Freud proposed something radical: that talking openly about thoughts, memories, emotions, and life experiences could help uncover the roots of psychological distress.

Although the phrase "the talking cure" actually originated with one of Freud's early patients, Bertha Pappenheim (known in medical literature as "Anna O."), Freud's work helped establish conversation itself as a legitimate therapeutic tool, a principle that remains central to psychotherapy today.

Freud's Biggest Contributions

The Unconscious Mind

Freud believed much of our mental life exists outside conscious awareness. Thoughts, memories, wishes, and conflicts that we don't fully recognize can still influence how we think, feel, and behave.

While modern psychology understands unconscious processing differently than Freud did, contemporary research supports the idea that many cognitive and emotional processes occur automatically, outside of conscious awareness (Bargh & Morsella, 2008).

Today, helping clients become more aware of their thoughts, emotional patterns, and automatic reactions remains an important goal across many forms of therapy.

"Where id was, there ego shall be."
— Sigmund Freud, New Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis (1933)

Many scholars interpret this statement as reflecting Freud's goal of increasing self-awareness and helping people respond more intentionally rather than automatically.

Early Life Experiences Matter

Freud believed childhood experiences play an important role in shaping adult personality and relationships.

Modern psychology agrees that early experiences can influence later development, although not always in the deterministic way Freud proposed. Research in developmental psychology, attachment theory, and neuroscience demonstrates that early caregiving relationships, stress, and environmental factors can affect emotional development throughout life.

Rather than suggesting that childhood explains everything, today's therapists often explore early experiences to better understand current relationship patterns, coping strategies, and emotional responses.

Defense Mechanisms

Have you ever insisted something "doesn't bother you" when it actually does?

Or blamed someone else for feelings you were struggling to recognize in yourself?

Freud introduced the concept of defense mechanisms - psychological strategies that help protect us from emotional discomfort.

Later researchers, particularly psychiatrist George E. Vaillant, expanded and studied these ideas, finding that some defenses (such as humor and altruism) are associated with healthier psychological functioning than others (Vaillant, 1992).

Defense mechanisms commonly discussed today include:

Denial
Projection
Rationalization
Repression
Intellectualization
Humor

Although the theory has evolved significantly since Freud's time, recognizing these protective patterns can help people better understand themselves and their reactions.

The Value of Talking

Perhaps Freud's greatest contribution wasn't any single theory - it was demonstrating that conversation itself could be therapeutic.

Today, the therapeutic relationship is consistently recognized as one of the strongest predictors of successful therapy outcomes across many treatment approaches (Norcross & Lambert, 2019).

Whether someone participates in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), EMDR, or another evidence-based approach, feeling understood, respected, and supported remains an essential part of effective therapy.

What Modern Therapists See Differently

Psychology has advanced tremendously since Freud began practicing more than a century ago.

Many of Freud's theories - including psychosexual stages of development, universal dream symbolism, and several aspects of classical psychoanalysis - have not been consistently supported by modern scientific research.

Instead, today's therapists rely on evidence-based treatments that have been evaluated through rigorous clinical research, including:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)

Rather than viewing Freud's work as a complete explanation of human behavior, many psychologists see it as an important historical foundation that inspired future generations of researchers and clinicians.

As psychologist Drew Westen wrote:

"Freud was wrong about many things, but he was wrong in interesting ways."
— Drew Westen, Psychological Bulletin (1998)

His observations sparked questions that continue to shape psychological science today.

What Can We Learn from Freud Today?

One of Freud's lasting lessons is that understanding ourselves often begins with curiosity.

We all develop habits, emotional reactions, and relationship patterns over time. Therapy provides an opportunity to explore those patterns, understand where they may have come from, and decide whether they continue to serve us.

Insight alone doesn't solve every problem, but it often creates the foundation for meaningful change.

Did You Know?

Freud published The Interpretation of Dreams in 1899 (dated 1900 by the publisher), a book many historians consider the beginning of psychoanalytic theory. Although modern psychologists generally do not view dreams the way Freud did, the book remains one of the most influential works in the history of psychology.

The Bottom Line

Sigmund Freud didn't have all the answers, and modern psychology has moved beyond many of his original theories.

Yet his lasting contribution wasn't simply psychoanalysis, it was helping establish the idea that our inner lives deserve thoughtful exploration.

He challenged society to take emotional suffering seriously, to ask difficult questions about human behavior, and to recognize that healing can begin through conversation.

Those ideas continue to influence therapy today, even as the field evolves through ongoing research, scientific evidence, and compassionate clinical practice.

Ready to Better Understand Yourself?

One of the greatest benefits of therapy is gaining a deeper understanding of yourself - your thoughts, emotions, relationships, and the patterns that shape your life. While modern therapy has evolved far beyond Freud's original theories, the goal remains much the same: helping people develop greater self-awareness so they can make meaningful, lasting changes.

Whether you're feeling anxious, overwhelmed, stuck, navigating a difficult relationship, or simply looking to better understand yourself, you don't have to figure it out alone.

At ThinkSpot Therapy, our licensed therapists provide compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to your unique needs and goals. We'll work with you to identify what's holding you back, build practical coping skills, and help you move toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.

If you're ready to take the first step, we'd love to help. Contact ThinkSpot Therapy today to schedule an appointment or learn more about our therapy services. Healing begins with a conversation.

References

Bargh, J. A., & Morsella, E. (2008). The unconscious mind. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 3(1), 73–79.

Freud, S. (1900/2010). The Interpretation of Dreams.

Freud, S. (1917/1966). Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis.

Freud, S. (1933/1965). New Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis.

Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J. (2019). Psychotherapy relationships that work III. Psychotherapy, 56(4), 423–430.

Vaillant, G. E. (1992). Ego Mechanisms of Defense: A Guide for Clinicians and Researchers.

Westen, D. (1998). The scientific legacy of Sigmund Freud: Toward a psychodynamically informed psychological science. Psychological Bulletin, 124(3), 333–371.

Next in our Founders of Therapy series:Carl Jung and the Shadow We All Carry - why do we hide parts of ourselves, and what can modern therapy teach us about self-awareness?

Stephanie Haraburda