SUMMARY:Personal therapy for therapists is generally seen as an invaluable component of training. A review of the empirical literature on personal therapy in training found that approximately two‐thirds of trainees find their personal therapy satisfactory. 15‐40% however, report unsatisfactory outcomes or negative effects. Personal therapy in the early stages of training may have a deleterious effect on the therapist's work with patients. No evidence was found to support the view that personal therapy significantly enhances therapeutic effectiveness. Some reasons for this negative conclusion are mentioned and suggestions are offered for further research in this a