Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. It focuses on how humans interact and function. It also addresses how to deal with those who appear dysfunctional, whether in their thoughts, behaviors, or emotions (Huffman, 2012, p.532). In Chapter 14 of “Psychology in Action,” we discussed psychological disorders and abnormal behaviors. Chapter 15 covers therapy. Therapy is a remedial attempt to "cure" emotional, mental, or physical health problems ("Therapy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia"). When therapists deal with patients with psychological problems and mental disorders, they use psychotherapy. Psychotherapy involves using specific techniques to improve the patient's psychological functioning. In psychotherapy, therapists help their patients adjust to life. Psychotherapy has many counterparts that are grouped together and called insight therapies because they increase awareness of underlying motivations and help improve patients' attitudes, thoughts, and behaviors (Huffman, 2012, p. 533). One of the most debated insightful therapies is psychoanalysis, which has its counterpart called psychodynamic therapy. Psychoanalysis involves analyzing a person's mind. It is based on Sigmund Freud's belief that abnormal behaviors are caused by unconscious conflicts between the id, ego, and superego (Huffman, 2012, p. 533). Freud believed that within the ego there are defense mechanisms so powerful that they are able to prevent unconscious thoughts from returning to consciousness. Defense mechanisms distort reality and self-deception (Huffman, 2012, p. 464). In order to avoid these defense mechanisms, psychoanalytic therapists “deceive” the ego using the five major methods of psychoanalysis...... middle of article ...... therapy: Resistance. (nd). Retrieved from http://www.aboutpsychotherapy.com/Tresistance.phpCatharsis. (nd). Retrieved from http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/catharsisDream Analysis. (nd). Retrieved from http://www.goodtherapy.org/dream-analysis.html#Free Association. (nd). Retrieved from http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/free-association-in-therapy Huffman, K. (2012). 15. In Psychology in Action (10th ed., p. 532). New York: Wiley. John's Hopkins University Press (1939). The American Imago: A Psychoanalytic Journal for the Arts and Sciences (55.4 ed., p. 459). Boston.Therapy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (nd). Retrieved April 20, 2014 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TherapyTransference - Psychotherapeutic treatment and information about psychotherapists. (nd). Retrieved from http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=8253