This paper takes the form of an imagined conversation between a sceptical interviewer and a psychotherapist from the Tavistock Clinic. The focus of the conversation is whether it is justifiable to practise psychodynamic and systemic psychotherapy in the NHS. Our aim is to explore some (just some) of the options one has in responding to a cross-examination of this kind. We limit the factual content (and, in particular, the research evidence cited) so that the reader may feel armed but not overburdened.