A different perspective on the therapeutic process: the impact of the patient on the analyst

The therapeutic process is considered from the perspective of its impact on the analyst. Analysts undertake self-scrutiny, focusing on transference and countertransference reactions, in order to facilitate the treatment of their patients. However, this self-reflection also serves to continue and enhance the analysts own personal understanding. In the course of analyzing patients, an interactional process develops in which many of the therapeutic aspects of analysis affect the analyst as well as the patient. A clinical example is offered to illustrate this process.