Well, I knew a bunch of neo-sullivanians back in the mid-70s. They were completely mad-- had broken with their parents and changed to unlisted phone numbers so their parents couldn't call them, had constant group therapy sessions and meetings to root out their desires to have their own clothes (you were supposed to share everything, efven socks and underpants) and lovers (you were supposed to have a new partner every night). If I'm not mistaken, Fred newman was their guru. The Village voice ran a good expose a couple of years ago, centering on an awful custody battle, whether one parent left the group and the one who stayed denied access to the child--even though the child was being raised by other people, so it wouldn't be damaged by its own parents.
My own experience with the Newmanites reinforced my belief that they were some kind of cult. They sent me free tickets for their drama group. the Fourth Wall Repertory Company, when I was lit ed of the Nation. So I went. it was ghastly -- not just because it was like watching a high school play (when your own kid is not performing) but because the whole idea behind it was that everything is Mom's fault, you must break with her, parents are the root of all evil etc. After the performance they called me INCESSANTLY to get me involved in their activities.
Katha