An innovation of Sandor Ferenczi, mutual analysis was intended to level the psychic playing field between analyst and 'patient'.
Ferenczi developed the practice of alternately analyzing his patients and being analyzed by them.
He recognized that the 'blank screen' of the traditional doctor-patient relationship inhibited disclosure of feelings and thoughts in many patients.
While mutual analysis is not practiced these days, there has been a slowly growing recognition of the need for personal openness on the part of the therapist.
