Transference and Countertransference in Therapy with Lesbian Patients

Contrasting Views from Lesbian and Heterosexual Therapists

Bibliographic Data

ID12459366
AuthorsKarine J Igartua (McGill University, corresponding author), Pascale Des Rosiers (McGill University)
Year2004
Volume8
Issue1-2
Pages123-141
Publication date2004-04-27
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Lesbian Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1089-4160 • E-ISSN: 1540-3548
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1300/j155v08n01_08
PMID24820881
OpenAlexW157112315
LanguageEN
References cited11

Like gender, sexual orientation is an important determinant of one's perception of human relationships, therefore influencing the therapeutic process. Through a framework derived from cross-cultural therapy literature, this article explores how lesbian patients' transferences are influenced by their perception of their therapists' sexual orientations and how therapists' countertransferences differ according to their sexual orientations. This analysis took shape through dialogue with heterosexual and lesbian therapists working in a variety of settings, some generic mental health settings and some lesbian, gay, and bisexual identified

Countertransference · Homosexuality · Lesbian · Mental health · Perception · Psychoanalysis · Psychoanalytic theory · Psychotherapist · Sexual orientation · Transference · Variety (cybernetics · Clinical Psychology · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Marriage and Sexual Relationships · Psychology · Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications · Social Psychology