In the psychoterapy of a borderline patient, a religious conversion occurred in intimate connection with the therapeutic process. With the conference ahead on Holding and interpretation, this case made me think of the relation between religious faith and its holding function. As this is a theme we seldom approach, I wanted to present this case although it is not a psychoanalysis.

I will first give a short description of my patient, Anna, and a recapitulation of the therapeutic process up till last year. After therapy had been going on for four years, Anna became deeply depressed during my summer vacation—a depression which turned more and more psychotic. I shall focus on the therapeutic process which included the conversion and which opened up to a new way of functioning for Anna. Finally some questions concerning this process will be discussed.