Analytic work involves a variety of influences the analyst brings to bear on the patient. Our emphasis on the centrality of interpretation tends to neglect consideration of the many ways in which the analyst influences the patient other than by the content of interpretation. The author considers the kinds of influence necessary to establish and maintain an analytic process and a therapeutic alliance. The nature and the role of the analyst's authority are discussed, along with the issue of how the analyst influences the patient to question the analyst's authority.