The Lost Legacy of Franz Alexander: A Psychoanalytic Pioneer Revisited

A thorough examination of Franz Alexander’s groundbreaking and, at times, controversial contributions to psychoanalytic theory and practice which shows how his work remains relevant today. It enriches our understanding of psychoanalytic history and serves as a catalyst for re-evaluating and repositioning Alexander’s legacy within the modern world.

Franz Alexander began his psychoanalytic career in 1920s Berlin at the vanguard of the psychoanalytic movement. He won the admiration of Freud who praised him as “extraordinarily good” and “one of our strongest hopes for the future”. He later moved to the US and was a pivotal figure in American psychoanalysis, but his work moved into obscurity following disagreements with other key figures in the field. Fast forward to today and many of Alexander’s methods have become common practice in psychotherapeutic treatment. His granddaughter, Ilonka Venier Alexander, is determined to bring his contributions to the attention of a whole new generation unfamiliar with this early titan of the field.

In order to bring the work of Franz Alexander to as wide an audience as possible, this book is written in an engaging style to pique the interest of students, practitioners, and academics, including those unfamiliar with psychoanalysis. Topics discussed include juvenile delinquency and criminology; the mind–body connection and the concept of psychosomatic medicine; the use of evidence-based research to measure the effectiveness of psychotherapy and other treatments; the corrective emotional experience; and short-term and flexible treatment in psychoanalysis. The latter two rank among the most controversial of his theories, yet they have stood the test of time and demonstrate his continuing importance to the field.

For those interested in history, in psychoanalysis, and in fascinating life stories, this book is a must-read.