ABSTRACT
We are living in the midst of a major psychotherapeutic revolution in this second half of the twentieth century. New therapies of all kinds have emerged in astounding numbers, some scientifically based, others reverting to the magical, mystical, and religious roots that were the precursors of scientific psychotherapy. The vast majority of American psychiatrists are still heavily committed to a one-to-one model of dynamic psychotherapy. Ferenczi experimented with various types of activity in the psychoanalytic situation in an effort to overcome what he called a “stagnation of the analysis.” Ferenczi’s efforts brought him into early collaboration with Otto Rank, who had been pursuing similar approaches independently. Like Ferenczi and Rank, Alexander placed great emphasis on the emotional experiences of the patient in relation to the therapist.
