THE ILL THERAPIST - THERAPISTS REACTIONS TO PERSONAL ILLNESS AND ITS IMPACT ON PSYCHOTHERAPY

When a therapist becomes ill, the therapeutic relationship is affected as much by the therapist's manner of handling the illness as by the i llness itself Countertransference may cause mishandling. Illness chall enges a therapist's defenses against neediness and helplessness; feeli ng vulnerable is uncomfortable; and the seriousness of a threat may be denied Therapists who avoid their own feelings about being ill depriv e their patients of important opportunities to work through its meanin g. An ill therapist must permit all expressions of patient affect. The rapists need to plan ways to manage their practices in the event of il lness. Psychotherapy training Programs should address therapist-illnes s issues for therapists and their supervisors.