An attempt is made to establish the analyst-patient relationship within the framework of total life relations and to deduce from this the nature of the therapeutic problem in those narcissistic neuroses which utilize intellectuality as a major defense. In connection with this some related problems of countertransference are discussed. It appears that it is only through the adequate management of the defense transference that the libidinal value of the analyst

as a person is established. Only when this has been accomplished can the analysis of the unconscious in the classical sense really proceed. This is particularly important in the intellectual patient who can borrow from the analyst the very means with which to come to terms with his analysis as he has previously come to terms with life. Excerpts from the analyses of two narcissistic character neuroses are presented in support of this thesis.