Freud's views on obstacles to psychoanalytic progress, and the impact on the analytic process of destructive impulses, and unconscious guilt over destructiveness are considered. In addition, the potential contribution of the destructiveness of the analyst is explored. The stance of Heinz Kohut, through which the thwarted developmental lines of childhood are allowed to unfold and build new psychic structure, may help to avoid these dangers. Despite these dangers, long analytic processes may be both necessary and fruitful in some cases.