If we wish to reverse the path of illness in which the phobic gives way to the obsessional defense, we may, after allowing the patient time to find support in the 'ritual' of the analytic situation, withdraw this support abruptly; for instance, by inviting the patient to sit face-to-face or fixing sessions at irregular intervals or even refraining from giving interpretations. The patient will then show phobic fear, allowing the analyst to intervene actively and directly and establish a useful relationship that the mechanism of isolation previously prevented. This relationship must contain a deep inner attitude on the part of the analyst, a nonverbal background necessary to the development of confidence and trust that enables the patient to make peace with others and himself.