ABSTRACT
The analysts’ clinical training and theoretical knowledge cannot account for such different outcomes or how the patients perceived the ongoing process and relationship. These patients have also drawn attention to the quality of engagement in the relationship, which was the critical factor leading to their respective outcomes. They identified the specific human qualities in their analysts that were helpful to the therapeutic relationship and those which were not. Patients seeking therapy are also more discerning now, more assertive and less willing to remain in a treatment that is not attending satisfactorily to their needs. Ten patients were highly satisfied with their analyses, which led to liberating and major life changes; for them it was a very good experience. Eight patients spoke of analyses that were mediocre or disappointing, two even experienced as damaging; three of these patients prematurely left the analysis.
