Sigmund Freud, born May 8, 1856, was the founder of psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysts believed that human behavior, experience, and cognition were largely determined by irrational drives that were mostly unconscious. Freud further developed the mechanisms of repression and established a clinical method for treating psychopathology through dialogue between a patient and his respective psychoanalyst. Although psychoanalysts are not very common today, other forms of psychotherapy have developed that employ divergent ideas, originating from Freud's original thoughts and his approach to the study of the mind (Boeree). Freud then synthesized a theory of what he believed to have happened. during mourning. According to his theory, we become emotionally attached to our loved ones by investing libido, or physical energy, in them. When those close to us die, we feel like we've lost that energy, which he says explains the changes in our sensitivity. According to Freud's theory, grief involves severing these emotional attachments by withdrawing our energetic investments (Watson). Although Freud's view on death was shaped centuries ago, it is still clearly visible in various aspects and places in modern times. Freud's ideas, which became the backbone of the "Six Reconciliation Needs for Grieving", are currently used as the basis for funeral ritual trends, self-help books used in palliative care units of hospitals and self-help groups. Helping the family recognize the reality of the death of a loved one is commonly done by funeral homes. Generally, death is recognized in two phases, the first dealing with acceptance in our minds and then in our hearts. Sigmund Freud b...... middle of paper ......e are supposed to do. Self-help groups attempt to fill the lives of the bereaved with activities that may interest them in the hope that these activities will make them forget the recent death or help the individual reinvent themselves. Works Cited Boeree, C. George. “Sigmond Freud.” My webspace files. 2009. Internet. .Smith, Melinda and Jeanne Segal. “Supporting a grieving person.” : Helping others through grief and loss. January 2012. Web. .Watson, Donald E. “Apperception Theory of Grief.” Don Watson's home page. February 12, 2005. Web. .Wolfelt, Alan D. “Why Is Funeral Ritual Important?” 2007. Internet.