Freud's theory of psychosexual development outlines five stages: oral, anal, phallic, latency and genital, through which personality, sexuality and intimacy evolve. Each stage highlights how early experiences shape adult relationships and sexual well-being. This blog explores Freud's stages in depth, their modern relevance and how psychosexual therapy can support individuals and couples in understanding intimacy and overcoming challenges.
September 10, 2025
Sexual well-being, intimacy and emotional connection are deeply interwoven into how we experience ourselves and other. One of the earliest psychological theories that attempted to explain how our sexual and relational selves develop was Sigmund Freud's psychosexual states of development.
Though developed over a century ago, Freud's theory continues to influence psychosexual therapy, couples counselling and relationship psychotherapy today. Many of the challenges people face in intimacy and relationships can be better understood when we look back at how early life experiences shape us.
In this article we will explore Freud's stages of psychosexual development in detail, exemine their relevance today and show how psychosexual therapy can help you or your relationship if intimacy feels challenging.
Freud proposed that from birth to adulthood, human beings pass through five psychosexual stages. Each stage focuses on a specific erogenous zone, an area of the body where pleasure is concentrated.
While some of Freud's ideas are considered controversial or outdated, his stages still provide a valuable framework for understanding how early childhood experiences impact intimacy, desire and adult relationships.
Erogenous Zone: Mouth
The oral stage is centered on feeding, sucking and biting. Infants experience the world through their mouths which provide comfort, security and pleasure.
Healthy development: Builds trust, attachment and sense of safety
Fixation risk: Over or under indulgence can lead to habits like overeating, smoking, nail-biting or dependency in adult relationships.
Erogenous Zone: Anus
During this stage, the child learns control and independence particularly through toilet training.
Healthy development: Encourages self-control, boundaries and autonomy
Fixation risk:
- Anal-retentive personality: perfectionism, orderliness, control
-Anal-expulsive personality: disorganisation, carelessness, rebellion
Toilet training becomes symbolic of how control and authority are experienced- issues that can resurface in adult relationships.
Erogenous Zone: Genitals
Children become aware of their bodies and differences between sexes. Freud described the Oedipus Complex ( for boys) and the Electra Complex (for girls) where unconscious desires and rivalries shape identity.
Healthy development: Identification with the same-sex parent and development of gender identity
Fixation risk: Shame or guilt around sexuality, difficulties with intimacy or authority struggles.
This stage sets the foundation for how adults later relate to partners and authority figures.
Erogenous Zone: Dormant
Sexual impulses are suppressed as children focus on friendships, school, hobbies and skills.
Healthy development: Confidence, communication and peer relationships
Fixation risk: While Freud considered this a stable stage, unresolved earlier conflicts may show as withdrawal, shyness or difficulties with friendships.
Erogenous Zone: Genitals
Sexual energy returns, now directed towards mature, intimate and romantic relationships.
Healthy development: Ability to form balanced relationships, manage love and work and embrace sexual wellbeing.
Fixation risk: Struggles with intimacy, immature sexual attitudes or difficulty maintaining relationships.
This stage represents Freud's vision of maturity: balancing personal desires with connection to others.
While Freud's theory is rooted in early psychoanalysis, its relevance today lies in recognising how childhood experiences affect adult intimacy, sexual identity and relationship patterns.
At London Psychosexual Therapy we integrate these insights with contemporary therapeutic approaches, including:
By combining Freud's foundational ideas with modern techniques like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ( CBT), Neuro-Linguistic Programming ( NLP), Integral Eye Movement Therapy ( IEMT), mindfulness and sex education, Helen Bright-Gerrie, a psychosexual therapist helps clients move past shame, fear and dysfunction to achieve healthier intimacy.
