THE GOAL OF THE PSYCHOANALYST - NEUTRALIT Y AND THE ALLIANCE

The author first gives a short review of the history of the concept of the therapeutic alliance. It involves implicitly a dichotomous view o f the analytical relationship. On the one hand, it should be observing and rational and on the other perceptive and experiencing. In direct opposition to this dichotomous view is Ferenczi's preference for a con sistent view of the analytical relationship and for the priority of fe eling over intellect. The thesis of the author is that the analyst enc ourages the conflictual desire of the patient to see himself by meetin g him in an honest, nonjudgmental and secure relationship. The attempt to differentiate between alliance, transference and the ''real'' rela tionship has disadvantages. The author sees the analytical relationshi p as a consistent, non-judgmental and asymmetric relationship. It is e ntered into in order to reinforce the patient's capacity for free asso ciation.