This paper attempts to identify some of the aspects of the analysis of early adolescents which may help the analyst to observe and respond to the emergence of erotic and nonerotic positive transference elements in the often bewildering welter of negativity and defiance which these patients bring to treatment. Winnicott's concept of a transitional process occurring in the "intermediate area" between inner and outer reality can

be helpful in ascertaining the potential for, and the gradual development of, an analytic alliance. It follows that from the point of view of analytic technique with younger adolescents, the preponderance of affectively charged preoedipal material often must be dealt with before the patient can use interpretations of the more obvious but threatening oedipal elements. Paying attention to the presence or absence of these elements and gauging the feeling level associated with them may provide the analyst with important data by which to assess the strength of the analytic alliance and by which he can be guided in the choice of what to interpret.