ABSTRACT
He continued to tell his story of the psychotherapy. The patient was intelligent, attractive, and creative. For almost a year, he felt the
treatment was progressing well. However, she suddenly began criticizing his technique. Her communication was increasingly fragmented. She believed he was trying to manage her, and she no longer could trust him. When he clarified himself, she ignored his explanations. It seemed that there was nothing he could say that would comfort her. He was distressed and embarrassed. He felt helpless. Although he really did not believe it to be true, he was concerned that his lack of success with this patient only foreshadowed his inability to do psychoanalytic work and would necessitate his reconsideration of eventually pursuing psychoanalytic training.
