Which therapy aims to reconstruct the personality rather than solve immediate problems?

• A. Cognitive Behavioral
• B. Humanistic
• C. Behavioral
• D. Psychoanalytic

Answer: (D)

Psychoanalytic therapy focuses on uncovering unconscious conflicts and early experiences that shape personality. Its aim is to reorganize the internal structure—defenses, internalized relationships, and enduring personality patterns—so the person develops a more integrated sense of self. This leads to lasting change in how they relate to themselves and others, not just relief from immediate symptoms. Techniques like free association, dream analysis, and examining transference reveal deep-seated dynamics that drive behavior. In contrast, therapies that target present problems—such as modifying thoughts and behaviors or emphasizing growth in the here and now—tend to focus more on symptom relief than on reconstructing personality.