THE PAPERS WE HAVE HEARD TODAY raise a host of provocative questions. Dr. Pine begins his paper by tackling the issue of whether or not a developmental perspective has primacy over other aspects of our theory. Does it influence our practice in a central and unique way or is it just one of a number of equally important theoretical constructs? Dr. Pine gives a perplexing reply to this question, one which I hope he will clarify. He states "a developmental perspective is not particularly necessary for adult practice." A developmental perspective, in his view, is only one among many guiding perspectives that analysts use.

This seems in sharp contrast to Dr. Pine's fish and water analogy. "I think that a developmental perspective is so intrinsic to my way of working that I scarcely notice it. It is my water and I am it's fish". A fish could hardly believe that water is just one of many possible environments in which he could flourish. Dr. Pine goes on to say, "I don't realize that I am thinking developmental