in part by exploring separation and individuation issues that arise in earLy childhood. Somewhat similarly, self psychologists in part by exploring separation and individuation issues that arise in earLy childhood. Somewhat similarly, self psychologists focus on the impact of self-absorption or idealized views of parents that may cause severe problems in relating with others in later life, and they seek to heal these early experiences. Relational analysts may have goals similar to object relations analysts and self psychologists. The differences among these approaches are oversimplified here. in clinical work, psychoanalysts may have one or more of these goals in their work with patients.