INDIA BIBLE COLLEGE AND SEMINARY

B TH 3

WORK : Paper Presentation

SUBJECT: Pastoral Care and Counselling
TITLE: Psycho-analysis

Submitted by: Prem Chithu Raja

Submitted to: Rev. Eldho K. Mohan
Submitted on: 02. 12. 2024
 CONTENT

1.Introduction
2.Sigmund Freud
3.Personality development theory of Sigmund Freud
4.Dynamic Psychology of Sigmund Freud
5.Freudian Psychoanalytical school
6.Definition and meaning of Psychoanalysis
6.1.Basic concepts in Psychoanalysis
6.2.Psychosexual development
7.The Therapeutic Process - Psychoanalysis
7.1.Therapeutic Goals
7.2.Therapist’s Function and Role
7.3.Client’s Experience in Therapy
7.4.Relationship Between Therapist and Client
8.Pastoral Approach - Psychoanalysis
9.Reflection
10.Conclusion

Bibliography
Webliography
 PASTORAL CARE AND COUNSELLING
PRESENTATION

A paper presentation on psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud

1.Introduction
We need to refer to the definition of psychoanalysis before we turn to psychoanalysis. The
term Psychoanalysis is a combined word derived from the Greek word , psyche referring to
soul, spirit or mind (psuche + logy). Schools of psychology have branched out into various
approaches, with founders of each school, each emphasizing certain aspects of human
behaviour at the time of Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis. Leipzig is known for
beginning of many important psychological schools in Germany. The city of Vienna, Austria
a known for producing at least three modern schools of psychotherapy. Sigmund Freud and
his psychoanalysis, emphasizing the pleasure principle (human will to pleasure); Alfred
Adler, with his individual psychology, emphasizing the power principle (human will to have
power); and Viktor Frankel, with his logo-therapy, emphasizing the meaning principle(human
will to meaning). these three founders of different schools, including Carl G. Jung and his
analytical school of psychology, had their roots in the psychoanalysis of Sigmund Freud as
their basis.
Psychoanalysis is one of the psychotherapies. It is a way of solving the problems or illness
through the social and medical environment. There are numerous variety pf techniques and
practices used to heal people under psychotherapy. Psychoanalysis is the primary aspect of
the psychotherapy1. Psychoanalysis is a search for the meaning of behaviours, symptoms and
events. It is a theory of saying how mind works and the way of treating. It is commonly used
to treat depression and anxiety disorders. Psychoanalysis is a theory of the human psyche, a
therapy for the relief of its ills. It was invented by Sigmund Freud.
2.Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud was born in a middle class Jewish family in Freiberg, Austria, on May
6,1856, as the eldest son of the second wife of his father. Two of his elder brothers from the
first wife of his father were much advanced in years, twenty years above him. One of them
married and had a little boy who addressed Freud's early life as a senior over younger siblings
including his nephew. His father, a wool merchant, found it increasingly difficult to continue
living in Freiberg and he was compelled to leave Freud’s elder brothers and move to Vienna
when Freud was three years old.
In spite of the economic strain his father took interest in developing the young ,
intelligent Freud. By seventeen, Freud passed out of his school with a first class in training in
the gymnasium. Till this stage of his education Freud did not have any specific interest in any
particular field, not even to become a doctor as he later became. However, his auto-graphical
study has mentioned that Freud’s interest inclined towards something related to humans or
solving the riddles of the universe rather than the study of objects. He become interested in
neuroanatomy (the study of the relationship between structure and function in the nervous
1
Daniel Burnabas, A Textbook on Pastoral care and counselling, (Delhi: Christian World Imprints, 2021), 106.
system) and neuropathology. He published a write up inquiring it cocaine could be used for
medical purposes which made Koller think if cocaine could be used as a local anesthetic.
Freud is remembered as the pioneer in the discovery of the wonder medicine, to which
humanity is grateful.
Freud’s career shifted from one exploratory interest to another - from
neuropathology (the study of the diseases of the nervous system) to cerebral palsy in children
, and then to hypnotic (holds your attention or makes you feel sleepy, often because it
involves repeated sounds, pictures, or movements) suggestion, and study of hysteria. He
began to assume that hysteria was caused by inhibited trauma (out of control) in earlier life .
First, he used hypnotism to discover the hidden stuff in the pysche that caused hysteria. With
some modifications in both the theory and method of that study , he discovered what is called
today as Psychoanalysis. This became his main occupation until his death. He was also
known as the father of modern psychology.2
3.Personality development theory of Sigmund Freud
He originated a theory of personality development. He invented a theory of personality
development emphasized on the experiences of the first 6 years of life that determines the
development of the personality. Human behaviour is determined by the two unconscious
factors from the sector of sexual and aggressive drives. These drives are in two types:
 The life instincts (Eros)
 The death instincts (Thanatos)
These two motivates the human behaviours and actions. 3 And he addressed the three levels of
Conscious, they are: Conscious- The awareness of experiencing at a particular moment;
precocious- The memories that can be recalled; the unconscious- memories that has been
repressed. The major goal of Psychoanalysis is to make the unconscious conscious, so that
the person will have more freedom to choose.4
4.Dynamic Psychology of Sigmund Freud
Freud was willing to become a Scientist but the financial problem stopped him of continuing
the further trainings. He did medicine and began to think his relationships with the
psychological terms. The physic actions of the patients revealed him the dynamic forces at
work which are responsible for the cause of abnormal symptoms. And he understood that,
those physic actions are in unconscious mind. Thus, he kept physiology and neurology aside,
he concentrated on the psychological investigation.
 Talk-out method: The patient was allowed to lay on the coach, alone in the room and
allowed to speak anything that comes in his mind. Freud used to hide and listen
carefully and matched with the physic forces in the unconscious mind of the person.
This is known as the free association (a talk-out method).

2
Martin Evan Jay, Sigmund Freud: Austrian Psychoanalyst. Britannica. 2014.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sigmund-Freud/Psychoanalytic-theory
3
Dr. George Varghese, A Study book on Counselling, (Tiruvalla: CSS books, 2012), 301
4
Dr. George Varghese, A Study book on Counselling, (Tiruvalla: CSS books, 2012), 301, 302.
  Interpreting dreams: Even though it is symbolic representations. Freud used to
interpret the dreams and he called this as, the Royal way to the unconscious.
Thus, Freud was convinced with the view that, human as a living organism is a dynamic
system and started to work on the dynamic psychology. He understood the influence of
society on human and the influence of human upon the society as well as the influence of
irrational forces on the rational forces.5
Thus, he brought up the concept of 3 divisions of the human kind; and understood the
impacts of the unconscious mind like Instincts, Anxiety, Frustration etc.
5.Freudian Psychoanalytical school
Freud constructed three major systems in the personality structure of a human being: the id;
the ego; the super ego.
 The Id: The primitive aspects of mind of the human life includes the drives of sex,
aggression and all the thoughts and emotions is known as id. The nature of holding
these thoughts and materials within it becomes unconscious.
 Ego: When a child born, its mind is id. But when it starts to grow up. It starts to
realize the desires that are not satisfied automatically. The separate part of the mind
which deals with the reality is known as ego. (the conscious mind of the adult life).
 Super-ego: When the child grows up to 3-4 years. It starts to face problems. It
confronts the ethical dictations and scolding of the society which is known as moral
code. This explains the child about- what to do? And what not to do? This division in
the mind is projected as the super-ego. It is a moral controller.
Super ego arises in two different stages: Realization from outside (Under the
punishment, the child must obey the parents) and Realization from inside (self-
understanding of the moral values).
6.Definition and meaning of Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis is a type of treatment based on the theory that our present is built by our past.
The things of unconscious (unacknowledged) things may affect our mood and behaviour
which results in the problems with relationships, work and self-esteem. It helps an
individual to control over the things of unconscious mind by mining them and making them
to understand the things which got developed. This leads to the liberation from the troubling
thoughts of unconscious mind. It treats the depression, sexual problems, Generalised anxiety,
Self-destructive behaviour, psychological problems, identity disorder, psychosomatic
disorders, different kinds of phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorders etc.
It is normally used for the severe functional psychiatric disorders. There are several functions
of Psychoanalysis they are:
 It is like a procedure to investigate for the treatment of Psychic disorders.
 A method for the treatment of Psychic disorders.

5
Ezamo Murry, An Introduction to Pastoral care and counselling. (Delhi: ISPCK, 2018), 166-169.
  It is a collection of psychological information attained along those lines which is
gradually being accumulated into a new scientific discipline.6
6.1.Basic concepts in Psychoanalysis
 Human Nature: Sigmund Freud opined that, human nature has determined by
irrational forces, unconscious motivations and biological and institutional drives as
they develop themselves in the first 6 six years of the age. And this id comprises the
core behaviours of human needs (hunger, thirst, survival, sex etc). According to him,
the ultimate and necessary goal of human life is to reduce the tension. His general
judgemental statement criticizes him- “I have found little that Is good about human
beings on the whole. In my experience, most of them are trash”.
 The mental structure: According to Freud, Human mental structure is like a sub-
merged iceberg. And this mental structure includes three levels of functions. They are:
the conscious, Sub-conscious and unconscious.
o Conscious: This covers all the mental events which we are currently aware at
the particular moment. This covers the reality around the world which we see.
It is all of our feelings, thoughts, fantasies and behaviours of which we are
aware.
o Preconscious/Sub-conscious: We cannot memorise each and every incident,
wish and desire. And these are stored in our preconscious mind. If we try to
bring them up, we will succeed to restore them or bring them into conscious.
Pre-conscious covers our thoughts and memories which we are not aware at
right moment but we can recall them. It is also called as fore-conscious mind.
It works like a store house of easily accessible memories.
o Unconscious: It is a storehouse of primitive instinctual motives and memories
including emotions that are threatening to the conscious mind. It is also filled
with desires, wishes, feelings and impulses beyond our awareness. Most of the
content of this mind is unacceptable and unpleasant like pain, anxiety (this
anxiety is the outcome of fear, threat, conflicts and unmet needs) 7. According
to him, this state will influence our behaviours and experiences without our
knowledge.
And he also believes that people can be cured by bringing up the
unconscious to conscious. Thus, psychoanalysts observe the psychological
problems as rooted in the unconscious mind.
 Ego Defence Mechanisms
It is a action of safeguarding our mind against feelings and thoughts that are too difficult
for the conscious mind to cope up with. Defence mechanism helps a human to protect
from perceived threat. He described conversion, displacement, isolation, projection,
repression and threat or withdrawal from reality as separate defences. Anna Freud opines

6
Daniel Burnabas, A Textbook on Pastoral care and counsellin, (Delhi: Christian World Imprints, 2021), 106.
7
Gary R. Collins, Counselling: A Comprehensive Guide, (Texas: World book publishers. 1980), 61.
 that, any thought, action, symptom and emotion can be used to defend our things 8. And
when this function fails to store these things, a human nature will be led to inhibitions and
psychopathology.
o Repression: It is an action of removing something from the consciousness.
Ex: The punishment that we received is hurtful, so we transfer that to
unconscious mind.
o Denial: It is operated at sub-conscious mind and conscious mind level. It is a
form of self-defence. Ex: If a person is affected from the cancer, he denies the
reality by saying- Diagnosis is wrong.
o Reaction formation: It is an act of replacing in consciousness of a bad
emotion to good emotion. Ex: sometimes, we don’t like a person- But we
show outwardly that we love him. This will close the bad reaction to him/her.
o Projection: Aspects of the self are located in another person or thing. Ex:
Showing angry on the things.
o Displacement: Not expressing the emotion on the particular person or object.
But it is dangerous too. Ex: Mobile phone, we won’t throw the phone if it is
too expansive.
o Rationalization: Finding reasons to explain the loss. Untrue reasons to cover
the fall.
o Introjection: Questioning the failures or our identity. If a child is scolded as
stupid repeatedly. It will think that, it is stupid. Questioning leads to come out
of that area.
o Identification: Identifying the failures as successes.
o Compensation: Strengthening ourselves to cover up our limitations. Ex:
orphan who struggled a lot became a good professional and helping other
orphans to cover up the lacking in the society.9

 Mental Approaches
According to Freud, human mental approaches are in 3 parts: id, ego and super-ego. This
we have been discussed in above topic.
 Dreams
He believed that dreams are in symbolic form, repressed desires, fears and conflicts.
Analysing dreams is nothing but interpreting the dreams to uncover the unconscious
conflicts. His theory states, dreams are controlled by the daily occurrences and thoughts
of everyday life.
 The instincts
8
Eslee Samberg MD. What are some key concepts in Psychoanalysis? New York Psychoanalytic society and
institute. https://nypsi.org/learn-about-psychoanalysis/key-concepts-in-psychoanalysis/
9
Zubeno Kithan, Pastoral Care and counselling,( West Bengal: SCEPTRE, 2013), 298, 299.
 According to the Freud’s idea and it is also quoted by Richard Nelson Jones- Instincts
represents the somatic or biological demands upon the mind. Freud states that, these
instincts can be grouped in two types: Eros and the Destructive instincts.
o The erotic instincts combine the more and more living substance into even
greater unities. These are the life instincts which maintains the survival of the
individual and humankind. Survival instincts are known as libido which
means sexual energy. They are the pleasurable acts.
o Destructive instincts oppose this effort and leads to what is living back to an
inorganic state. These leads to the aggression. It is manifested in one’s
conscious mind and raises the desires to die or to hurt others.10
 The pleasure Principle
He also stated that, instincts are the ultimate cause of all behaviours. According to instinct
concept, the erotic instinct which means love. The purpose of this instinct is to establish and
preserve unity through relationships. But the other instinct called death or destructive
instincts will break the connections and unity through destruction. These two instincts work
on the basis on repulsion or attraction emotions.
 Life and Death drives
Freud explains that, human being is driven by two emotional or conflicting drives.
o The life drive (libido or Eros- survival, propagation, hunger, thirst and sex)-
He said, libido is a form of mental energy which processes, structures and
object-representations are invested.
o The death drive (Thanatos, (Freud didn’t use this term but later it was
developed by Paul Federn)- This will drive to death.
6.2.Psychosexual development
He says that, there are 4 phases in the development of the sexual desires in human beings.
(Oral phase, Sadistic-anal phase, Phallic phase, genital phase).
 Oral phase, covers the satisfaction through words.
 Sadistic-anal phase, Satisfaction can be gained through aggression and excretory
functions.
 Phallic Phase, Imagination of the fantasies. (a boy who fears his aunt and uncle,
fantasizes a sexual incident about his aunt vs a girl who doesn’t like the male- personal
part, which makes us to eradicate the sexual feelings which leads to unhealthy sexual life)
 Genital Phase- The sexual actions are organized and the co-ordination with the
partner along with urge and pleasure is completed. 11

7.The Therapeutic Process - Psychoanalysis

10
Zubeno Kithan, Pastoral Care and counselling, (West Bengal: SCEPTRE, 2013), 295, 296.
11
Daniel Burnabas, A Textbook on Pastoral care and counselling, (Delhi: Christian World Imprints, 2021), 106-
112.
7.1.Therapeutic Goals
Two goals of Freudian psychoanalytic therapy are to make the unconscious,conscious and to
strengthen the ego so that behavior is based more on reality and less on instinctual cravings or
irrational guilt. Successful analysis is believed to result in significant modification of the
individual’s personality and character structure. Therapeutic methods are used to bring out
unconscious material. Then childhood experiences are reconstructed, discussed, interpreted,
and analyzed. It is clear that the process is not limited to solving problems and learning new
behaviors. Rather, there is a deeper probing into the past to develop the level of self-
understanding that is assumed to be necessary for a change in character. Psychoanalytic
therapy is oriented toward achieving insight, but not just an intellectual understanding; it is
essential that the feelings and memories associated with this self-understanding be
experienced.
7.2.Therapist’s Function and Role
In classical psychoanalysis, analysts typically assume an anonymous stance, which is
sometimes called the “blank-screen” approach. They engage in very little self-disclosure and
maintain a sense of neutrality to foster a transference relationship, in which their clients will
make projections onto them. This transference relationship, which is a cornerstone of
psychoanalysis, “refers to the transfer of feelings originally experienced in an early
relationship to other important people in a person’s present environment” If therapists say
little about themselves and rarely share their personal reactions, the assumption is that
whatever the client feels toward them will largely be the product of feelings associated with
other significant figures from the past. These projections, which have their origins in
unfinished and repressed situations, are considered “grist for the mill,” and their analysis is
the very essence of therapeutic work. One of the central functions of analysis is to help
clients acquire the freedom to love, work, and play. Other functions include assisting clients
in achieving self-awareness, honesty, and more effective personal relationships; in dealing
with anxiety in a realistic way; and in gaining control over impulsive and irrational behavior.
The analyst must first establish a working relationship with the client and then do a lot of
listening and interpreting. Particular attention is given to the client’s resistances. The analyst
listens, learns, and decides when to make appropriate interpretations. A major function of
interpretation is to accelerate the process of uncovering unconscious material. The analyst
listens for gaps and inconsistencies in the client’s story, infers the meaning of reported
dreams and free associations, and remains sensitive to clues concerning the client’s feelings
toward the analyst. Organizing these therapeutic processes within the context of understand
personality structure and psychodynamics enables the analyst to formulate the nature of the
client’s problems. One of the central functions of the analyst is to teach clients the meaning of
these processes (through interpretation) so that they are able to achieve insight into their
problems, increase their awareness of ways to change, and thus gain more control over their
lives. The process of psychoanalytic therapy is somewhat like putting the pieces of a puzzle
together. Whether clients change depends considerably more on their readiness to change
than on the accuracy of the therapist’s interpretations. If the therapist pushes the client too
rapidly or offers ill-timed interpretations, therapy will not be effective. Change occurs
through the process of reworking old patterns so that clients might become freer to act in new
ways.
7.3.Client’s Experience in Therapy
Classical psychoanalysis is a long-term therapy where clients lie on a couch and practice free
association, speaking openly without filtering their thoughts. This process helps uncover
unconscious conflicts and fosters self-reflection while encouraging transference by reducing
the focus on the therapist’s reactions. Psycho dynamic therapy, a more flexible and shorter
alternative, still explores unconscious material, transference, dreams, and the connections
between past and present experiences.
Clients commit to regular sessions, sharing their thoughts openly and avoiding major life
changes during therapy, as the process can be emotionally challenging. Therapy concludes
when clients and therapists agree that major conflicts have been resolved, unresolved issues
are understood, and clients can connect past struggles with current relationships. Successful
therapy gives clients insights into their symptoms, their emotional roots, and how they
interact with their environment, leading to greater self-awareness, emotional growth, and
reduced defensiveness.
7.4.Relationship Between Therapist and Client
In psychoanalytic therapy, the relationship between therapist and client plays a central role in
achieving personal growth. Classical analysis positions the therapist as an objective observer,
offering interpretations, while modern relational analysis involves the therapist more directly
in the process, acknowledging their impact on the client. A key aspect is transference, where
clients unconsciously project feelings and conflicts from past relationships onto the therapist.
This allows for exploration of unresolved issues, such as trust, love, dependency, and guilt.
Working through transference helps clients understand and resolve these patterns, gaining
freedom from behaviors rooted in childhood experiences.
Counter transference, the therapist’s emotional responses to the client, can provide valuable
insights when managed effectively. By understanding their reactions, therapists can deepen
their understanding of the client’s experiences and use this knowledge therapeutically. The
therapeutic relationship becomes a corrective experience, allowing clients to process
unresolved conflicts and build healthier ways of relating to others. Ultimately, the process
helps clients connect their past experiences with their present behavior, fostering self-
awareness, emotional resolution, and lasting change.12
8.Pastoral Approach - Psychoanalysis
A pastoral approach to psychoanalysis blends psychological understanding with spiritual care
to address the whole person—body, mind, and soul. It acknowledges that many emotional
and mental struggles are deeply connected to a person's spiritual journey and seeks to bring
healing by integrating faith into the therapeutic process. The pastoral counselor listens with
empathy and compassion, creating a safe space where individuals can share their struggles
openly.
Using insights from Scripture and theological principles, the counselor helps individuals
explore their experiences, understand their emotions, and find meaning in their suffering
through a relationship with God. Techniques such as prayer, spiritual direction, and biblical
reflection are combined with psychological methods like active listening, reflection, and
12
Gerald Corey, Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy, (USA: Thommson,2009),69 -74.
addressing underlying emotional patterns. This approach not only helps people work through
their emotional and mental challenges but also strengthens their spiritual faith, guiding them
toward personal growth, hope, and a deeper sense of purpose in life. It is a gentle and holistic
method of care that respects both the psychological and spiritual dimensions of human life. 13
9.Reflection
The integration (combining) of psychoanalysis with pastoral care presents a unique
opportunity to bridge faith and psychology in meaningful ways. Psychoanalysis, with its
focus on understanding the unconscious mind and deep emotional struggles, offers valuable
insights into human behavior. We recognize that human beings are not just psychological but
also deeply spiritual. This calls for an approach that honors both dimensions.From a pastoral
standpoint, psychoanalysis can be a tool to uncover the hidden wounds, fears, and desires that
shape a person's life and its effectiveness in ministry depends on its alignment with biblical
truth. While secular psychoanalysis may focus solely on self-discovery or human autonomy,
pastoral care seeks to point individuals to Christ as the ultimate source of healing and
redemption. As John 10:10 reminds us, Jesus came to give life in abundance a life that
restores not only the mind but also the soul.
In practice, integrating (combining) psychoanalysis with pastoral care means using its tools
such as active listening, exploring emotional patterns, and addressing unresolved pain while
grounding these efforts in Scripture and prayer. For example, understanding a person's
struggles through psychoanalytic methods can guide a pastor in leading them to biblical
truths about forgiveness, grace, and identity in Christ. As a Bible college student, must
discern the limits of psychoanalysis and ensure it does not overshadow the transformative
power of the Gospel. While psychological techniques can provide temporary relief or
understanding, ultimate healing and hope come from a relationship with God.
10.Conclusion
The psychoanalysis process has helped the person understand their unconscious thoughts, old
memories, and hidden feelings. By talking about past experiences and dreams, they have
learned more about their emotions, behaviors, and relationships. This has brought about
better self-awareness and emotional healing, helping them face difficult feelings they had
kept inside.The relationship with the therapist was also very important, as it created a safe
place to talk openly. Though progress has been made, it is important to understand that
psychoanalysis is a long process, and more work may be needed to bring lasting change. The
goal of psychoanalysis is to help the person become emotionally stronger, more accepting of
themselves, and better able to deal with life's challenges with a clear understanding.

13
Sarah Carter, “Integrating Prayer into Psychoananlysis: A Holistic Approach.” From Faith and Psychology
Review, (vol.10, pg.no 2, 2019).
Bibliography
Burnabas, Daniel. A Textbook on Pastoral care and counselling. Delhi: Christian World
Imprints, 2021.
Collins, Gary R. Counselling: A Comprehensive Guide. Texas: World book publishers. 1980.
Dr. Varghese, George. A Study book on Counselling. Tiruvalla: CSS books, 2012.
Murry, Ezamo. An Introduction to Pastoral care and counselling. Delhi: ISPCK, 2018.
Kithan, Zubeno. Pastoral Care and counselling. West Bengal: SCEPTRE, 2013.
Corey, Gerald. Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy.USA:
Thommson,2009.
Sarah Carter, “Integrating Prayer into Psychoananlysis: A Holistic Approach.” From Faith
and Psychology Review, vol.10, 2019.

Webliography
Evan Jay, Martin. Sigmund Freud: Austrian Psychoanalyst. Britannica. 2014.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sigmund-Freud/Psychoanalytic-theory
Samberg MD, Eslee. What are some key concepts in Psychoanalysis? New York
Psychoanalytic society and institute. https://nypsi.org/learn-about-psychoanalysis/key-
concepts-in-psychoanalysis/