Psychotherapists view their personal therapy.

Studied the long-term effects of intensive psychotherapy or psychoanalysis on a sophisticated group of patients—practicing psychotherapists who had previously been in treatment. A comprehensive questionnaire was distributed to 97 30–60 yr old psychotherapists preselected by having completed personal psychotherapy or psychoanalysis. The items focused on subjective experiences in psychotherapy, the elucidation of intrapsychic effects, and Ss' perception of outcome. Positive benefits of treatment involved improvements in self-esteem as well as interpersonal relations. Symptom alleviation was ranked as the least important benefit. Improvement in all areas (including self-esteem, work function, sex life, social relations, character change, and alleviation of symptoms) positively correlated with the feeling of being liked by and liking the therapist. The emotional "tone" of the treatment situation as exemplified by aspects of the patient–therapist relationship appeared to be critical to a positive outcome. 21% of the Ss reported that their treatment was also harmful in some fashion. Data suggested that unresolved transference issues were central to a negative effect. (11 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)