ABSTRACT
Among the many entrenched psychoanalytic shibboleths that began to be deconstructed by the Interpersonalist's introduction of analyst's inherent and pervasive subjectivity was the theretofore belief that there existed a singular and ideal way to understand character development and to treat it psychoanalytically. Sullivan's alternative theory situating the analyst as a second subjectivity in a two-person psychological field was the first truly American alternative to Freudian hegemony. Though Interpersonal theory for many years made very minimal impact on the broader body of psychoanalysis, it did introduce the idea that there was more than one meaningful way to understand human development and to work with this in a psychoanalytic context. Ferenczi and Rank before psychoanalysis migrated to American shores were well aware that analyst's recognition of patient's unique individuality was compromised by theories that were too strong and too reflexively implemented, they became marginalized figures in Europe and their critique had virtually no impact.
