In this introductory module, we explore the origins of psychoanalysis — from hysteria and hypnosis to Freud’s early clinical cases. A brief but powerful overview of how it all began.

In this first class, we open the doors to the fascinating world of psychoanalysis. We talk about how it all started, what makes psychoanalysis different from other types of therapy, and what it really means to “listen” to someone in depth. We explore the idea of the unconscious and how our hidden thoughts, memories, and desires shape our behavior — often without us even realizing it. You’ll understand the basics of what happens in a psychoanalytic session, how the therapist listens beyond the words, and how psychoanalysis invites us to slow down and look inside. This class sets the tone for the entire course and gives you a first look into the depth and complexity of the human mind — and why psychoanalysis is still so powerful today.

In this class, we take a closer look at the life and work of Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis. We explore his academic journey, his influences, and the historical context in which his ideas emerged. From his studies with Charcot in Paris to his collaboration with Josef Breuer, we follow the path that led Freud to develop a new way of understanding the human mind. We also talk about Freud’s break from traditional medicine, his early challenges, and how he dared to listen differently — not to the disease, but to the person. This class helps us understand how psychoanalysis was born out of a desire to give meaning to symptoms that had no medical explanation.

In this class, we dive into one of the most iconic cases in the history of psychoanalysis: Anna O., treated by Josef Breuer in the 1880s. We explore her physical and psychological symptoms — paralysis, hallucinations, and speech disturbances — and how traditional medicine failed to explain them. Through her treatment, Breuer and later Freud began to realize that talking about repressed memories and emotions could relieve symptoms. This became the foundation of what we now call the “talking cure.” The case of Anna O. marks the beginning of psychoanalysis as a clinical practice — where symptoms are not erased, but listened to.

In this class, we explore how hysteria played a central role in the early development of psychoanalysis. Freud shifted the focus from 'what is the disease?' to 'what is the meaning behind the symptom?' We look at how hysterical symptoms, often dismissed or misunderstood, became key to accessing the unconscious. This class also introduces the idea that the symptom is not a mistake or something to eliminate. It’s a message — a clue — that deserves to be listened to. Through the body and its symptoms, something deeper is being expressed. Psychoanalysis begins here: by listening to what doesn’t make sense at first, but holds a truth waiting to be heard.

In this class, we dive into one of Freud’s most revolutionary ideas: that dreams are the royal road to the unconscious. We explore the difference between manifest content (what we remember when we wake up) and latent content (the hidden meaning behind the dream). Freud believed that dreams disguise our unconscious wishes using four main mechanisms: condensation, displacement, symbolism, and secondary revision. We break down each one, showing how the mind transforms thoughts we can’t face directly into dream imagery. This class helps us see how decoding dreams is not just about symbols — it’s about listening to the unconscious trying to speak.

In this class, we explore one of Freud’s most controversial and groundbreaking theories: infantile sexuality. Freud argued that children go through different stages of psychosexual development — oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital — each with its own focus and psychological challenges. We discuss how these stages influence personality, behavior, and the formation of neuroses later in life. We also look at the criticism Freud received and how later theorists, like Melanie Klein, offered different perspectives. This class helps us understand how early experiences leave lasting traces on our emotional life.

In this final class of Module 1, we explore Freud’s structural model of the mind: the id, ego, and superego. We learn how these three parts work together — and often in conflict — to shape our thoughts, behaviors, and internal struggles. The id is instinctive and driven by pleasure. The superego holds moral rules and ideals. And the ego tries to mediate between them, balancing desires and reality. Through relatable examples, we see how this dynamic plays out in everyday life and why it’s still such a powerful way to understand the human psyche.