Introduction When most lay people think of psychology, some version of psychodynamic theory certainly comes to mind. Most people have heard of Freud and the somewhat ridiculous ideas he introduced more than a century ago. What many people may not realize is how advanced psychodynamic theory was for the time it was born. While this theory certainly has some flaws, it also has some surprisingly good points. An analysis of this Freudian theory shows that there are both strengths and weaknesses in psychodynamic theory and that it may still be applicable to modern social work. Description of Psychodynamic Theory The thought process that drives psychodynamic theory is that our stories greatly influence the people we become. Psychodynamic theory emphasizes the importance that relationships, especially those developed early in life, have on our development. This theory is also motivated by the assumption that our emotions or moods are the driving forces behind our actions (Dean, 2002). This theory focuses on childhood trauma and how this can affect how a person acts for the rest of their life. Freud was the first to draw the parallel between internal and external factors. He realized that peopleThe driving force behind this theory is that all experiences are internalized and influence each individual's ongoing actions. It is essential to understand the relationship between unconscious and conscious drives, because it is what motivates behavior according to Freud. This theory is a social construction, just like all theories, of Freud's experiences. It is important to understand this and take the good with you