Recent Developments in “Direct Psychoanalysis”

“]Direct psychoanalysis” is a method of understanding and treating psychotics. It is essentially Freudian, as the name implies, although it includes some substantial modifications of Freud's theories and techniques.

Until recently, direct psychoanalysis was not widely known. Its originator, John N. Rosen, had published only a brief account of it in Direct Analysis: Selected Papers (1953).33 Other writers, when referring to Rosen's work, did not have the advantage of first-hand observation or discussion. Consequently, they tended to base their remarks either on Rosen's own fragmentary account, or else on rumors and “]impressions” of what he did.3,20

To remedy this situation, Rosen invited a group of psychoanalysts and psychiatrists to study his work at length. The resulting publications by Brody,4 Scheflen,79 English,11 and others,7 indicate that direct psychoanalysis has been developed and refined considerably since Rosen first described it. Rosen has now completed his own report of the recent developments in direct psychoanalysis.* This includes a comprehensive description of the procedures used in treatment, and a detailed statement of the Freudian theory on which the treatment is based.