A 42-year-old man with generalized anxiety and chronic interpersonal difficulties undergoes a time-limited psychodynamic therapy. Over the first four sessions, the therapist identifies a recurring pattern across the patient's narratives about his boss, his wife, and his father: in each relationship, the patient wishes to be recognized and valued (his wish), expects the other person to be dismissive and critical (his expected response from others), and responds by becoming passive and resentful (his response of self). The therapist uses this formulation to focus the remaining sessions on this central pattern as it emerges in the therapeutic relationship.