The processes that augment the continued development of
psychotherapeutic competence are little understood. One readily available
source of learning is the life experiences of the therapist, particularly
those situations which invoke intense affects and may increase empathic
capacity. Some life experiences, however, lead to defenses against affect.
In particular, situations in which the therapist feels helpless and those
which confront the therapist with his or her own death may precipitate
intense defenses. Several periods of such defensiveness resulting from
discussions with four dying friends are explored and their implications for
psychotherapeutic competence are analyzed.Abstract Teaser