If Freud's theory of defense and repression is true, it is proposed that the manifest content of his conscious thought (his theory) would not accurately represent his real thoughts. It would rather distort, disguise, and hide them. Freud's own special method of analysis and interpretation, which rejects the manifest meaning of conscious thought, would have to be used to gain insight into his “real,” but still hidden, thoughts. Wherever Freud's manifest thoughts, rather than his real thoughts, have shaped subsequent theories of therapy and clinical practice, re-appraisal of these later theories and practices is recommended. Resolving this misunderstanding of Freud's thought may facilitate integration of clinical theory.
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