The paper discusses processes that occur in a psychotherapeutic treatment of patients with schizophrenia. Various theoretical concepts within psychoanalytical framework concerning psychotic functioning in a therapeutic relationship are presented. The author highlights specific demands that such treatment imposes on practitioners. Special attention ia given to difficulties for the therapists that may arise in the course of treatment such as dependency issues and the impact of hateful emotions emerging in a therapeutic relationship. These difficulties are addressed with respect to countertranseference and the definition, importance and application of the term are discussed. Further, examples of countertransference in professional and private life of the therapist are given, as well as means to prevent the adverse effects of countertransference on the professionals dealing with psychotic patients, such as supervision and self-analysis. Lastly, the potential benefits of work with psychotic patients to the therapists are underlined and the learning and transformative aspects of it are indicated.