The psychiatrist as a psychotherapist: the problem of identity.

Becoming a psychotherapist is a complicated process for individuals from any discipline but for physicians the process is even more difficult. We consider the identity issue to be central to the integration of psychotherapy into the training of psychiatrists. Residents can be taught that seemingly contradictory aspects of identity can coexist successfully. It is important to address this issue early in the training of residents and to provide a setting in which a positive professional identity can develop. Failure to do so can lead to frustration, anger, demoralization, and devaluation, inhibiting optimal development of skills.