The seriously ill or dying analyst and the limits of neutrality.

Preventing problems of professional competence in the face of life-threatening illness.

“…Like others facing life-threatening diagnoses, psychologists may find that while medical events are moving quickly all around them, their own process of psychological adjustment moves more slowly (DeMarce, 2007;Rolland, 1984). Further, Rosner (1986) reminded us that psychologists enjoy no immunity from decrements in professional functioning; emotional distress about a terminal diagnosis may even interfere with the psychologist's normally keen awareness of his or her level of competence. Psychologists whose lives are at risk "are as capable of denial, anxiety reactions, and withdrawal as are any other human beings.…”

“…Certainly, efforts to self-monitor one's level of professional performance is important, but when a psychologist is overwrought with a terminal medical diagnosis or experiencing the effects of rapid decline in health, is it reasonable to assume that the practitioner him or herself will be effective in this regard? Early confusion about the diagnosis and extent of likely incapacitation as well as the psychologist's own denial may prevent active steps to monitor competence (Rosner, 1986). Consider the issues raised when an elderly psychologist begins to demonstrate cognitive decline.…”

“…Diagnosis of a life-threatening condition may trigger all manner of defensive countertransference reactions in psychologists who might strike a pose as hero, suffering martyr, or stoic parent, ostensibly in the service of protecting clients, but ultimately for no purpose other than denying their own mortality, thereby delaying the business of assessing their competence for current and subsequent practice (Rosner, 1986). Acknowledging such vulnerabilities and difficulties "might be seen as inimical to the image of the competent psychologist, and this may then, unfortunately, lead to the exactly opposite effect" (Bamett, 2008, p. 11).…”

A Crisis in the Analyst’s Life: Self-Containment, Symbolization, and The Holding Space

“…ficulties (Gerson 1994), serious illness (Abend 1982;Dewald 1982;Gurtman 1990;Little 1967;Pizer 1997;Rosner 1986;Schwartz and Silver 1990;Silver 1982;Weinberg 1988), and personal grief (Colson 1995;Gerson 1994;Rodman 1977) have all been cited in the literature with regard to the impact on the process of psychoanalysis or psychotherapy. Colson (1995), for example, writes movingly about his emotional journey through multiple devastating losses.…”