Classical psychoanalysis

The current presentation is aimed at explaining the basic principles; of classical psychoanalytic theory and an introduction to the various descriptive models or paradigms used in it. I hope to clear up some misconceptions about psychoanalysis and to provide a basis for the logical extension of psychoanalytic thought into psychotherapeutic work. Since about 1900, psychoanalytic thinking has influenced the emergence of one of the branches of psychology; the method of studying and describing human behavior and the treatment of mental disorders. Some critics may further add that psychoanalysis has also formed a quasi-religious culture. This book is not intended to create "believers" or to propagate a system of beliefs.

In fact, any close reading of Freud would clearly suggest the mind of a critical, pragmatic, eclectic scholar; an intellectual who constantly questions and challenges his own beliefs and the beliefs of others. However, we cannot escape the historical legacy of science, medicine, and psychology; which often stems from magical and/or religious antecedents. While psychoanalysis is also filled with a lot of jargon that further maintains a mysterious; esoteric context, I will make every effort to reduce this jargon to relatively simple definitions; which is actually in line with the tradition of Freud himself.

Classical psychoanalysis

For those of you who have not read much of Freud's original writings, I would urge you to do so. Not only is his work vast, covered in the 24 volumes of the Standard Edition of Freud's Works; but his writing style is clear, concise, and often enjoyable. It is also refreshing to read the original source, as opposed to the many interpretations and criticisms that have been offered. I am often struck by the many sides of Freud that are revealed in his work: his self-revelation in the interpretation of dreams, his humanity in his case studies, his pragmatism in the critique of his own thinking and the correction of his conceptual errors; his social and cultural passions, and even his sometimes humility before the psychology of women and his admission that he often fails to understand them.

Whether one agrees with the Freudian perspective or not, this view of man has had dramatic consequences for Western civilization. Some scholars argue that Freud inflicted on us the third greatest narcissistic injury of the modern period. The first blow was dealt by Copernicus, who told us that we are not the center of the universe; the second by Darwin, who said that we descended from apes; and the third by Freud, who said that we are not in complete control of our thoughts and actions, that we are not masters of our own home. With such a challenge to free will, it is no wonder that psychoanalysis has been and is the subject of so much controversy.

About the author

Valentin Boyadzhiev is a certified psychologist, psychoanalyst and author. He graduated with a degree in “Psychology and psychopathology of development”, then acquired the professional qualification “Teacher of Psychology” and the postgraduate professional qualification “Psychological Counseling in Psychosomatics and Social Adaptation Disorders“. He completed a specialization in psychoanalytic psychotherapy in California, USA and underwent training in psychoanalysis in Manchester, England. In 2019, he graduated from another psychoanalytic program for dream analysis and psychotherapy. He continues his psychoanalytic training in Bulgaria in various schools, organizations and associations. He is a member of the Association “Bulgarian Psychoanalytic Space”, “International Society of Applied Psychoanalysis” and “International Alliance of Holistic Therapists”. Since 2017, he has been working as a school psychologist, and in his private practice he works in the areas of: psychological counseling, psychoanalytic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. He leads lectures, seminars and trainings on issues related to psychology, psychopathology, psychoanalytic psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, etc. Author of books and scientific publications such as „Countertransference as a Tool for more subtle and precise diagnostics of the patient's mental structure in analytical, clinical and psychotherapeutic practice", "Transference and countertransference in the psychoanalytic, clinical and psychotherapeutic process", "Defense mechanisms in the psychoanalytic, psychotherapeutic and clinical process". His main interest and activity are in the field of psychological counseling, psychoanalytic psychotherapy, psychoanalysis and clinical psychology.