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Countertransference risks when women treat women

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Abstract

Certain female patients deal with issues of sexuality, reproduction, aggression, and dependence in ways which may generate intense reactions in their female therapists. We will describe the range of responses we experienced while treating various women in an acute psychiatric inpatient setting. A surprising finding was that not only our problematic responses, but also our effective solutions, have often occurred unconsciously.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit 7A, Dept. of Psychiatry, San Francisco General Hospital, 1001 Potrero Ave., 94110, San Francisco, CA

    Judith Eastwood L.C.S.W., Anna Spielvogel M.D. & Joanne Wile L.C.S.W.

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  1. Judith Eastwood L.C.S.W.
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  2. Anna Spielvogel M.D.
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  3. Joanne Wile L.C.S.W.
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Eastwood, J., Spielvogel, A. & Wile, J. Countertransference risks when women treat women. Clin Soc Work J 18, 273–280 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00755101

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