Drawing primarily from concepts developed by Kohut and Bibring, Brightman develops ideas about narcissistic issues in the development of psychotherapists, and how they interfere with or enhance progress. He focuses on conflicts caused by the ideal of the grandiose professional self, defensive styles, the role of the supervisor, and phases of professional growth in the training situation, including the modification of the professional ego ideal so that trainees can apply themselves realistically to the task of becoming competent psychotherapists.