Frieda Fromm-Reichmann and Erich Fromm

Written in response to “Frieda Fromm-Reichmann. On Her Contribution to Psychoanalytic and Psychiatric Theory, with a Note on Erich Fromm's Estimate of Her Work in the U.S.A” by K Hoffmann and N Elrod

It is good to see Frieda Fromm-Reichmann featured in three articles in this journal's seven years of existence (1, 2). Fromm-Reichmann's teachings deserve careful study by the current generation of mental health professionals, most of whom trained in an era overly optimistic about the recent pharmacological advances and too hopeful that brief therapies could carry the day. Fromm-Reichmann set the standard for the application of psychodynamics to the treatment of severe mental illnesses. She inspired her audiences and readers to make a career commitment to treating severely ill people, a population still in dire need of clinicians' dedication.

This paper accurately quotes of Fromm-Reichmann and in its representation of certain points of debate. However, I feel that the authors' choice of quotations of Fromm-Reichmann might discourage the reader who is new to her from ordering her book, The Principles of Intensive Psychotherapy (3) This text was required reading for essentially everyone training to become psychiatrists, clinical psychologists or social workers until around 1980. It is still available in paperback for just $13, in continuous publication since it appeared in 1950. Other suggested readings include her selected papers in Bullard (4), Greenberg (5) and Silver (6), a festschrift honoring Fromm-Reichmann.

I wish I could agree with Hoffmann & Elrod when they say, “Apparently all psychotherapists now agree that transference and countertransference matters are of the utmost importance and that interpretation of the one or the other is necessary if the therapy is blocked or threatened in its existence.” It seems to me that very little psychodynamic treatment of individuals struggling with psychosis is taking place in the United States currently. Medication management a