Winnicott's Fear of Breakdown describes a failure in the early holding environment that leads to existential type terrors in later life. Using examples from literature, religion, and the theories of Winnicott, Kohut and Ogden regarding the incipient self, the author explores the nature of this primal fear and implications for the therapeutic environment. Using the clinical example of Eric, a newly married man who suffered from anxiety, self-defeating behavior and unwanted frequent marijuana use, the author offers an interpretation of Eric's symptoms utilizing ideas of the above-mentioned theorists as well as the holding environment of therapy which contributed to his relief. The author concludes with an exploration of the implications of non-essentialist theories of the construction of self for psychotherapy.