abreaction
/ˌæbriˈækʃən/
noun
- The release of emotional tension by reliving a past traumatic experience, especially in therapy.
- The psychologist noted that the abreaction allowed the client to finally express suppressed grief.
- The patient experienced a powerful abreaction during the therapy session, crying and shaking.
- Abreaction can be a helpful step in healing from post-traumatic stress disorder.