This paper attempts to address the similarities and differences between psychoanalytic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis as practice. Starting from the manifest technical points, which he dismisses as peripheral, the author reaches the position that he considers to be the fundamental area of contention, i.e. the tranference-countertransference arena. Focusing on the countertransference stance of the professional in this process, the author distinguishes the defining differences of these two approaches, and hopes to show them to be more complementary than antagonistic.