Psychiatric residency training requires a number of administratively dictated transfers of cases in psychotherapy. The 'transfer syndrome' as a specific loss reaction is identified and discussed in both transference and countertransference terms. Manifestations of this syndrome at various developmental levels of patients are described as well as some common defensive reactions of residents. It is

suggested that supervisors could make use of these inevitable interruptions in order to help make this a constructive experience both for the patient and for the resident.