Reflections on Becoming an Older and More Experienced Psychotherapist

In this article, I describe how greater self-awareness and increased affect tolerance changed my clinical work with patients. I provide a clinical example to illustrate how my personal growth occurred. Blind spots, created through both conflict and ignorance, are discussed. My acceptance of my limitations in general, as well as those that come with age, and the awareness of the limitations of time itself all increase as I age. Grief and mourning become more central in my work. My comfort and confidence increase, but awareness of my age makes me more selective about whom I will treat. I treasure the work more than ever and experience the benefits of mutual peer supervision increasing over time. I hope to convey what a privilege it has been to be a psychotherapist.