Training of psychiatric residents should include supervised experience in psychotherapy, whatever the mode of practice the psychiatrist-to-be will later choose. Individual supervision of psychotherapy on patients seen at least once a week for a year offers the best opportunity for learning in this area. The supervisor has a teaching role which includes showing the resident how to look more objectively and insightfully at the material, serving as a partial model of a professional identity, and giving direct didactic help regarding the subject of psychotherapy. Such an experience leads togrowth and development of the resident in his professional role as psychotherapist.