catharsis

catharsis definition - medical

ca·thar·sis (kə-thärˈsĭs)

noun pl. ca·thar·ses (-sēz)
  1. Purgation.
  2. A psychological technique used to relieve tension and anxiety by bringing repressed feelings and fears to consciousness.
  3. The therapeutic result of this process; abreaction.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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