Abreaction is best described as

Abreaction is best described as

• A. Denial
• B. Abreaction
• C. Displacement
• D. Countertransference

Answer: (B)

Abreaction centers on releasing repressed emotions by expressing or reliving the feelings tied to a past event, producing emotional catharsis and relief. In practice, this means openly acknowledging and expressing the emotions that were previously suppressed rather than avoiding them. This distinguishes it from denial, which is about refusing to acknowledge reality; displacement, which shifts feelings to a safer target; and countertransference, which refers to the therapist’s own emotional reactions. Through this process of verbalizing and re-experiencing the emotion, a person can achieve a meaningful emotional release that aids processing and healing.

Abreaction centers on releasing repressed emotions by expressing or reliving the feelings tied to a past event, producing emotional catharsis and relief. In practice, this means openly acknowledging and expressing the emotions that were previously suppressed rather than avoiding them. This distinguishes it from denial, which is about refusing to acknowledge reality; displacement, which shifts feelings to a safer target; and countertransference, which refers to the therapist’s own emotional reactions. Through this process of verbalizing and re-experiencing the emotion, a person can achieve a meaningful emotional release that aids processing and healing.