A psychiatrist met regularly for eight months with a small group of spouses of patients on hemodialysis, some of whom dialyzed their marital partners themselves. The group progressed from an initial state of panic and denial to one of more openness and interaction among members. The most striking accomplishment of the group was the spouses' progressively increasing sense of emotional separateness from their partners as they lessened their reliance on denial. At the same time, the role of the psychiatrist progressed from omnipotent leader to peer.Abstract Teaser