Freud believed that early childhood experiences shape our unconscious mind and influence our relationships in adulthood. He argued that unresolved conflicts with caregivers or significant figures often surface in adult relationships through repetition compulsion, where individuals unconsciously recreate patterns from their past.

Contemporary therapy places significant focus on identifying these unconscious patterns. For example, attachment theory, which has roots in psychoanalysis, examines how early attachment experiences shape our relational dynamics in adulthood. Many therapists explore a client’s family history to identify unconscious patterns that may be affecting current relationships, helping clients break free from dysfunctional cycles.