Potency as a Female Therapist

Abstract

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.

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Notes on contributors

Fanita English

Fanita English, MSW, is a Clinical Teaching Member of the ITAA and director of the Eastern Institute for TA and Gestalt (Eitag).