Contemporary patients frequently offer a general, even vague reason for seeking psychotherapy. Specific causes or problems take second place to presenting statements such as: “They said I should talk to someone.” The would-be patient seems not as much reaching for a solution as searching for a definition. As a result, dynamic psychotherapy increasingly turns to the relationship as a means for building and strengthening the patient’s uncertain sense of self. Contemporary sociocultural contexts are changing, and the inter-reliability of “holding environments” such as parents, family and community are less stable. With weaker environmental definition, the individual is left with reduced support for construction of a strong self-structure. Consequently, the therapist’s work is increasingly called on to facilitate the patient’s psychic growth experientially.