One of Freud’s primary techniques for accessing the unconscious was free association, where patients were encouraged to speak freely about whatever came to mind, without censorship. The aim was to bypass the conscious mind’s defences and uncover unconscious material.

This technique is still widely used in modern psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Free association helps therapists and clients explore underlying issues that may be driving current symptoms or behaviours. By encouraging clients to speak openly, therapists can identify recurring themes, symbols, or emotional undercurrents that point to unconscious conflicts.