How does psychoanalysis create psychic change? Is the analytic task confined to the analyzing function? Or does the analytic relationship contribute in some way to the process of therapeutic change? Is it insight or is it relationship? One characteristic of the psychoanalytic relationship defines psychoanalysis and sets it apart from other types of relationships. This characteristic is the act of analyzing and is essential to the outcome of positive change. But is it sufficient?

The analyst's attempts to maintain an emotionally receptive relationship with her patient is not sufficient alone to effect the process of a successful analysis. The analyst's receptivity and responsiveness are characteristics of the psychoanalytic relationship. These same