Theoretical concepts come to life in the supervisory and therapeutic encounter. This paper explores manifestations of the concept of projective identification in supervision. It is argued that the use of the concept of projective identification can sometimes be liberating for therapists, but it can sometimes be used defensively to “blame” the patient. In this situation, the therapist's own countertransference is located in the patient. Winnicott's distinction between object-relating and object use is used as a metaphor to suggest that therapists can sometimes use the concept of projective identification in their understanding of themselves and their patients, and they can sometimes subjectively relate to the concept of projective identification, turning it against the patient. In this way, concepts are taken into the internal world of the therapist. The way in which projective identification is used or related to by therapists holds implications for supervisory debates and practice.