Psychoanalytically based treatment procedures & particularly psychotherapy based on analytical and depth psychology & were first accepted for remuneration by statutory health-insurance companies in Germany in 1967, following empirical evidence of their effectiveness. They play central roles in psychotherapeutic care for the population. Although Freud=s psychoanalysis still represents the foundation for these procedures, major further developments have taken place. Several of the most important concepts, such as free association, evenly-suspended attention, psychodynamic diagnosis, indication, therapeutic goals, analytical surface, resistance and active factors are presented and discussed here in accordance with the current state of knowledge and research.

Emeritus Professor Wolfgang Mertens was Professor of Clinical Psychology and Psychoanalysis in the Department of Psychology at the University of Munich from 1982 to 2011.