The thesis is offered that not only is the resistance to entering therapy groups a result of narcissism, but that all resistance might have their root in narcissism, ultimately including even the resistance to dying. Resistance and narcissism are related to power and love, derivatives of Thanatos and Eros.

Narcissism can be one's best friend or one's worst enemy, depending upon whether it functions in the service of self-preservation or self-destruction. It is destructive to therapeutic group when it conflicts with Eros, the love of otehrs. In Freud's words, group are held together by libidinal ties. The healing power of a therapy group resides in these ties, not in the leader, but in the processing of all the emotional and verbal encounters that transpire within the group.