This is a case report on a 13-year-old girl diagnosed as a borderline schizophrenic. During much of the treatment the patient's mind was taken up with religious ideas and experiences. It transpired that this phenomenon was a defence against the developing transference. These transference manifestations were not interpreted directly, the therapist preferring to make his communications within the context which the child offered, whether this was a religious parable, medieval phantasy, or a frankly delusional experience. The patient responded to this approach and did not feel threatened by the transference. Much later in treatment was this need of the patient's for distance from the therapist brought to her attention.