Though Aiken was reluctant to speak of his early trauma and ensuing psychological problems, he acknowledged that his writings were strongly influenced by his studies of Sigmund Freud, Carl G. Jung, Otto Rank, Ferenczi, Adler, and other depth psychologists. It wasn't until the publication of his autobiography, "Ushant", that Aiken revealed the emotional challenges that he had battled for much of his adult life. During the 1920s Freud heard of him, and offered to psychoanalyze him. While aboard a Europe-bound ship to meet with Freud, Aiken was discouraged by Erich Fromm from accepting the offer. Consequently, despite Freud's strong influence on Aiken, Aiken never met the noted psychoanalyst. As he later shared, "Freud had read "Great Circle", and I’m told kept a copy on his office table. But I didn't go, though I started to. Misgivings set in, and so did poverty."