ABSTRACT
Freud and Ernst Lanzer, a self-referred patient, did talk with each other and about each other. The reader senses the mutual respect doctor and patient had for each other. Freud's listening stance involves his overall attitude to what the patient had to say. Freud gave every indication to Lanzer that he was willing to listen no matter what he had to say. The patient must have felt the depth of this commitment because he entrusted Freud with his most bizarre feelings and ideas. Finally, Freud says that the work of analysis involves two people, to each of whom a distinct task is assigned. He does not say that two people are needed to construct the meaning of words, but that is precisely the greatest contribution of psychoanalysis, namely, to uncover unconscious processes and to give personal meaning to verbal exchanges between people.
