I was pleased to read Dr. Helen Egger's Residents' Forum in the August 2 issue in which she wrote in favor of personal therapy for residents. Perhaps as the daughter of a psychiatrist, she has a greater appreciation of the previous psychiatric generation's experience in this regard.

In any case, I, too, can vouch for the usefulness of this endeavor both for personal growth and for skill and enjoyment in our profession. My own therapy has shaped my work with patients greatly and has had no equal as a place for demonstration of the power of the unconscious. My experience as a "patient" in group therapy has had similar effect. I have been rather amazed at the reticence of colleagues to enter the same work that we routinely expect of our patients.

Bravo, Dr. Egger, for speaking up and for not merely studying and "dispensing" the Thing, but for doing psychotherapy from the inside, too.

C. John Tupper Jr., M.D.

Helena, Mont.

(Psychiatric News, January 17, 1997)