This paper focuses upon the issues that arise when an analyst or therapist feels called upon to

apologize to a patient. The pertinent literature which espouses or suggests such an act is reviewed. It is also noted that the participation of the analyst in acknowledging his or her misdeeds is felt to be a differentiating factor between psychoanalysis and psychotherapy by some authors. A clinical vignette is used to illustrate some issues that arise over the problem of apology. It is suggested that a theoretical school that considers the child's intense drives to be the source of difficulty will yield a certain perspective toward apologizing as opposed to another that attributes problems to parental failures. A position for apology in analysis and treatment is offered that hopes to bridge these differing postures.