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We are at a critical juncture in the evolution of self psychology. Heinz Kohut left a legacy of creative ideas and their implications continued to inspire further explorations. The danger lies in the possibility that, as Kohut's insights are developed, his basic tenents will be elaborated to a point where self psychology splinters into self psychologies. At the moment, we have not yet reached this point. The domain of self psychology continues to be broadened and stretched with divergent contributions, providing points and counterpoints for each other. Before diversity produces fragmentation, it must mean dialog, challenge, and the potential for new views.
Three recent books epitomize three different paths that have evolved from Kohut's contributions. Each steers a different course through unchartered psychoanalytic territory. These are Basch's (1988) Understanding Psychotherapy: The Science Behind the Art, Goldberg's (1988) A Fresh Look at Psychoanalysis: The View from Self Psychology, and Stolorow, Brandchaft, and Atwood's (1987) Psychoanalytic Treatment: An Intersubjective Approach.
Each of the authors pursued Kohut's ideas in his own way. At first glance, their books suggest that pure chance places them within the realm of self psychology. They seem to have about as much in common as the guests in a hotel who share a roof for a night or two and then go off in their separate ways. Each of the authors claim that self psychology provided the springboard and inspiration for his ideas. But, is it really the same version of self psychology that each