Sex makes a difference—How gender affects the therapeutic relationship

Because gender issues create obstacles or advance progress, this paper discusses how gender differences affect therapy. The psychoanalytic approach in the four treatment dyads of female therapist-male patient, male therapist-female patient, female therapist-female patient, and male therapist-male patient is presented to suggest propensities. A developmental focus on gender's effect on the therapeutic relationship is indicated by the theoretical rationale from psychoanalytic literature, and by clinical practice discoveries. Because therapists' perceptions about gender identity, gender roles and sexual partner orientation affect responses to patients, countertransference is considered. Acknowledgement of gender components within the transference is recommended if therapists are to provide the best treatment possible.