Pasternak says psychoanalysis is pseudoscience: ‘Without scientific proof’

In this sense, Pasternak reinforced his belief that it is not psychoanalysis, but rather the patient’s relationship with the therapist that brings results to the treatment. “There is a study that says that presence, empathy, the relationship with the therapist is much more important for the outcome (of the treatment) than the technique that the therapist uses. So if there is a good exchange relationship (between patient and professional) , when the saint hits, this is much more important for the development of the person’s clinical case, than the technique that the therapist is using, whether it is psychoanalysis, behavioral psychology or something else.

It is very difficult for us to test this, because it is not as straightforward as testing a vaccine. But there are very well done studies that point in this direction, that it’s not psychoanalysis, it’s the relationship with the therapist, with a nice person, with a friend (who helps with the treatment).

Natália Pasternak is co-author of the book “What nonsense!: pseudosciences and other absurdities that don’t deserve to be taken seriously”. In the work, she presents popular practices in Brazil, including psychoanalysis, but which for her do not have scientific evidence to corroborate their effectiveness in treating people.

Pasternak criticizes family constellation in the judiciary

Natália stated that family constellation falls among practices considered pseudoscience due to the lack of scientific evidence of its effectiveness. “The family constellation is a prejudiced, sexist, racist pseudoscience that revictimizes people, especially women who are victims of domestic violence and aggression.”