Gender in the consulting room.

ABSTRACT

Gender influences psychoanalysis and psychotherapy in a variety of ways. This article discusses these with reference to the woman therapist and analyst. Choice of therapist is influenced by realistic, transferential, and stereotyped ideas such as (1), wishes for a role model, (2) unconscious fantasies for a better mother, and (3) ideas that women are more nuturent. Family and work conflicts, pregnancy, and lifestyle issues are special issues for the woman professional. Transference and coutertransference manifestations concern variations in erotic and eroticized transference, maternal and paternal transference, and paternal erotic countertransference. Some limitations of cross gender treatment are indicated.