One often observes an exaggerated scepticism on the part of analysts as to the results of their therapeutic work. This may be caused by perfectionistic demands based on various motives and is often manifested as 'research anxiety'. A realistic awareness of the goals of treatment and a discussion of these goals during the first interviews with patients are most useful. Ticho discusses the technique of the termination phase of psychoanalysis; counter-transference difficulties play an important role in this phase. In case of doubts about the proper date of the termination of treatment the analyst will have to take into consideration the benefit the patient obtains from his regained independence.