Lillian Ross’s short story reveals a psychoanalyst’s flaws and shortcomings. Dr. Blauberman’s personal alienations and his envy of the patient result in controlling, judgmental, intrusive therapeutic work. Under the guise of meeting his patient’s needs, Blauberman tries to gratify his own. He rationalizes his failures as a therapist by blaming the patient for being passive and resistant. This story highlights how difficult it is to extricate oneself from even a destructive therapeutic relationship. Dr. Blauberman’s negative impact may be short-lived, his patient’s capacity for love and creative work exceeds the therapist’s, and the patient ends therapy. (68 pp.)