I was immediately distrustful of the timing of these two calls.  It had to be more than coincidence. But what was it? Had Robert’s psychiatrist pressured him to quit? Had Robert placed himself in the middle– playing the good object/ bad object game? Did he want the two of us to fight over him? I did not know. I told him to come in and talk about it, reminding him that leaving group was not only leaving me but leaving people that he was attached to and them to him. When he appeared, I told Robert that was glad to see him. I then invited him to talk about the phone call. He told the group that he was leaving because he was angry with me. The group asked what he was angry about and he told them that he was angry because I had questioned his inability to work when I knew that his psychiatrist told he was too fragile. One member was incredulous and said: “I don’t understand. Your psychiatrist wants you to join a dating website. Dr. Pepper didn’t think it was a good idea. Are you angry at your psychiatrist”. Robert said flatly: ”No!” Someone else said:” This makes no sense”. The most poignant reaction came from a new female member, a warm and loving woman with a maternal feeling toward Robert. “Rosario” began to cry when Robert announced that he was leaving. She said that in the short time that she’s been in group, she has grown attached to Robert and would hate to see him go. Upon hearing this, Robert’s countenance changed; the tension drained out of his face and he appeared moved. I took this opportunity to remind him that their mutual affection was so important to him. I asked:” Why give it up?” I told him that I believed leaving group would be a big mistake and offered to call his psychiatrist again to see if a resolution could be found. He immediately bolted upright and firmly said:” Do not call her. She is far too busy to speak with you. I will think about staying and call you to talk about it.” Robert was clearly protecting his relationship with his psychiatrist. Was I right, I wondered? Had she been instrumental in shaping his decision to leave? And if this were the case, how could Robert possibly return to group if his two ‘parents’ could not speak with each other. His treatment had become a holy mess. And I felt guilty for my part in causing him to have to choose between warring therapists.