This approach (sometimes called psychodynamic psychotherapy) is based on the belief that current behavior, emotions, capacities for functioning, and patterns of relationship are deeply influenced by one's experiences throughout life.

Developmental experiences continue to exert influence over later behavior; initially, attention was focused more on specific early developmental periods, although current analytic beliefs look at all developmental stages and process.

Psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy is a method of treatment that takes place through verbal interaction between patient and therapist in an effort to elucidate unconscious past forces that affect current emotions and actions.

Transference is bringing into a current life experience, such as an interpersonal relationship, the beliefs, expectations, and perceptions from previous relationships; it is bringing forward past experiences and experiencing them again in the present.

Countertransference is a specific reaction of the therapist to the same types of phenomena.

Jacobson JL and Jacobson AM. Psychiatric secrets. Philadelphia. Hanley & Belfus, Inc. 1996. p. 221.