Potency as a Female Therapist

Bibliographic Data

ID20178762
AuthorsFanita English (corresponding author)
Year1978
Volume8
Issue4
Pages297-299
Publication date1978-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueTransactional Analysis Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0362-1537 • E-ISSN: 2329-5244
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1177/036215377800800406
OpenAlexW2570802115
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited1

A female therapist tends to be seen in a more polarized and split fashion than a male because of primitive feelings which we all carry within two sub-systems of our Child, named “Infant” and “Baby.” The Infant carries the assumption of a perfect “Good Mother” and the Baby carries the assumption of a “Bad Mother.” When a female therapist disappoints a patient's exaggerated projection of her as an all-nurturing Good Mother she is feared or attacked. A female therapist's own internalized, polarized image of the good and bad mother makes her particularly vulnerable to loss of potency under attack. However, when she understands the source of such attacks and her own vulnerability, she has an even better chance than a male of being effective and helping patients and trainees emancipate themselves from primitive fantasies in order to become more involved with their own aptitudes for growth. Exaggerated artificial nurturing techniques can be harmful palliatives to the pain of growing. Female therapists need not get overburdened by distorted projections about “Mother.” The author prefers creative playfulness

Developmental psychology · Feeling · Psychotherapist · Child Therapy and Development · Computer Science · Counseling, Therapy, and Family Dynamics · Psychology · Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications · Social Psychology

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