catharsis /kəthär″sis/ , 1. a cleansing or purging. 2. the therapeutic release of pent-up feelings and emotions by open discussion of ideas and thoughts. 3. the process of drawing repressed ideas and feelings into the consciousness by the technique of free association, often in conjunction with hypnosis and the use of hypnotic drugs. Also called psychocatharsis. See also abreaction. −cathartic, n.
