Recently, the emergence of the role of the relational matrix within the therapeutic endeavor has prompted the Association for Psychoanalytic Self Psychology to clarify the theoretical distinctions that exist, here, in New York City, between and among the various theoretical schools that privilege the relational perspective. These perspectives include a contemporary self psychology influenced by post-Kohutian theoretical contributions, a distinctly relational perspective, and the perspective followed by a group of New York based psychoanalysts, influenced by object and interpersonal theories, who have developed their own brand of "relational" theory. APSP recognized, of course, that there are varying views about the relational matrix among "relational" theorists just as there is among self psychological theorists. The result of APSP's effort was their 1992-1993 academic year, in which they conducted three programs, hoping to clarify where these various theories differed as well as where they shared common ground.

The first program, held on November 16, 2002, gave an overview of the issues. James L. Fosshage, PhD, presented a paper entitled, "Contextualizing Self Psychology and Relational Psychoanalysis: Comparison and Contrast." With a focus on empathy, the concept of self, and the therapeutic action of psychoanalysis, Dr. Fosshage discussed the differences and points of convergence of these two positions, with particular attention paid to the listening and experiencing perspectives as well as forms of relatedness. Judy Guss Teicholz, M.D., next presented "Authenticity and Empathy in the Analytic Relationship: Their Dialectical Tension and Common Ground in the Analyst's Affect." Her paper suggested that empathy and authenticity are two essential ingredients of the therapeutic stance. She offered ways in which the analyst might be able to draw upon aspects of both self-psychological and relational theories.

The second program in this series, held on January 18, 2003 was entitled, "Trauma and Dissociation." Sue Grand, PhD, presented her paper, "Unsexed and Ungendered: The Violated Self," which included a treatment, rooted in relational theory, that elucidated the "thing self" of sexual trauma. Donna Orange, PhD, working from an intersubjective systems point of view, presented "Trauma, Dissociation and the Loss of Complexity," with clinical material from experiential worlds created by parental suicide. The program continued with a dialogue on theoretical and clinical issues that related to trauma, such as the question, "Is trauma an objective fact or a subjective experience - or some of both?"

The series of three concluded on April l9, 2003 with an exchange of ideas between self psychologist Frank M. Lachmann, PhD and Donnel B. Stern, PhD, an interpersonal and relational analyst, entitled: "How Does Analysis Cure?". Each began by offering an overview of their understanding of the therapeutic action of psychoanalysis. Afterwards they responded to questions concerning: the use of the analyst's subjectivity; the role of empathy and authenticity; the value and meaning of idealization; the place of developmental thinking; and the balance between offering a new experience and the analysis of repetitively patterned experience. Hopefully, the well-attended series helped clarify some of the issues in the ongoing dialogue between contemporary self psychology and current "relational" thinking.