The Therapist's Illness As an Opportunity in the Clinical Hour

Abstract

Our subjective experience of aging will have an impact on the cocreation of the therapeutic relationship. As therapists enter the last third of life, they need to anticipate possible disruptions to their practice due to increased physical vulnerability, and they need to plan for these disruptions. This may require confronting narcissistic defenses and denial. Professional resources are available to assist with the pragmatic steps needed for continuity of patient care. Viewing her clinical work through the lens of intersubjective theory, the author shares her own experience with a life-threatening illness. She describes the impact it had on her relationship with one patient and how it was possible for the patient to find considerable therapeutic value in her response to the therapist's illness. The therapist's clinical decision to self-disclose information about her diagnosis is considered from an intersubjective perspective.

KEYWORDS:

• aging
• illness
• intersubjectivity
• psychotherapy
• self-disclosure
• therapist