Perhaps no topic is more controversial than that of the analyst's needs being met in the course of treating the patient. Prior emphasis has been placed on satisfaction derived from the patient's progress, with frequent warnings regarding the analyst's inappropriate pursuit of her narcissistic needs. The author readily acknowledges that all manner of inappropriate gratification does exist and harms both analyst and patient. Yet the major thesis presented in this paper states that mutuality is a driving principle in all human relationships. If this is true, then anything that is essentially harmful to the patient is also harmful to the analyst. But it also means that if the analytic relationship facilitates self-discovery and therapeutic transformation of the patient, while providing a sustaining level of affirmation, safety, and well being, similar benefits will occur for the analyst.