1. Neo-Freudian theories are no more or less valid than Freud’s, just revised versions. Freud helped lay the groundwork for psychoanalysis, and other psychologists have built upon Freud’s substantial body of work to provide new ways of examining, analyzing, and treating clients. While it may be easy to focus solely on the differences between Freud and neo-Freudian theorists like Adler, Horney, and Sullivan, it is equally as important to recognize that these theorists and others built their work on Freud’s foundation. One of the reasons why subsequent theorists refuted some of what Freud originally said was that Freud was fixated on infantile sexuality. While not the only contribution Freud made to theories of the subconscious mind, neo-Freudians recognized that psychoanalysis had potential to be and do much more than just guide clients to the sexual symbolism in their dreams or help clients become aware of their Oedipal urges. Some neo-Freudians like Alfred Adler, differed sharply from Freud primarily due to psycho-sexual development and gender. Adler, like Erich Fromm, Karen Horney, and Harry Stack Sullivan also took a more optimistic approach to psychoanalysis, viewing the individual or client as being capable of change and transformation. As Eagle (2007) also points out, the neo-Freudians broadened their client base as well as widening the scope of treatment...

Harry Stack Sullivan re-situated the role of the therapist as a “participant-observer,” and made the psychoanalytic process more transactional and less concerned with transference issues (Eagle, 2007, p. 12). Horney added a feminist dimension to Freudian theory, showing that contextual, environment, and cultural constraints serve to construct gender and influence gender identity. Penis envy is not inevitable or biologically innate but rather, a learned behavior or a reaction to oppression.
2. The history of psychoanalysis must inevitably address the complex relationship between Freud and Jung. Like other neo-Freudians, Jung wanted to expand Freud’s theories and make them more meaningful and relevant. The younger Jung also believed that Freud fixated too much on sexuality as driving human development. However, Jung capitalized on Freud’s theories of the unconscious and more than most neo-Freudians, studied dreams and symbolism from a cross-disciplinary perspective. A historical perspective helps modern psychologists better understand both Freud and Jung. Moreover, a historical perspective validates the modern-day applicability of Neo-Freudian theories. Neo-Freudian theories do need to…