ABSTRACT
Many analysts believe they learn something new from specific characteristics of patients, especially when these are admired qualities. From the analysts' interviews it can be seen that the analyst's recognition of an attribute that he or she experiences as a desirable trait—a personal value, attitude, belief, or coping strategy—is given support if it is perceived as characteristic of a patient. The patient, in these cases, has a quality or characteristic that the analyst consciously admires. The analyst may use the perception of the patient's greater access to an admired characteristic as encouragement to develop further this aspect of his or her own character.
