Posted by Cindy W on October 13, 2000, at 22:39:10
In reply to Re: Who is better, male or female therapist?, posted by Thomas W on October 13, 2000, at 12:08:11
> > Does anyone prefer one over the other? For what reasons? I've had both and come to realize that the men never gave me any credit for going through this difficult journey. My current female therapist was very supportive about my struggles, which made me feel good about myself for the first time in years!
> >
> > Anyway, anyone have anything else to say?
>
> You raise an issue that I too am pondering. I've
> been working with a male counselor for a while and we are winding down I
> think cause we've gone thru the "whole 9 yards". I was
> thinking of maybe seeking a female to see what kind
> of perspective it would bring. I tend to be able to
> talk to females better about things, don't know why.
> I'm considering trying one. The observations that
> the others have made are excellent. I'm not a very
> assertive person, so I don't know what I need.
>
> thx
TomV and Thomas W, I have had both female and male therapists. Both have been helpful. Personally, I prefer a male therapist, since I can work out things that are bothering me having to do with relationships much better when I develop a trust and transference with a male therapist. I must say that my current therapist is the only one with whom I've been completely truthful, and I'm not sure why. I want so badly to change, but it's so very scary at the same time, and am really hoping he can break me free from my paralysis and lack of action in my life. Making decisions is very hard for me, esp. when the decisions involve life changes (just deciding what to eat for breakfast and what to wear to work takes me a long time; deciding whether to get a divorce is taking infinitely longer since the stakes are much higher and much more is involved). Having a male therapist helps me to get a perspective on this issue as well as to work out some relationship issues that I never resolved in my marriage; hopefully, I won't make the same mistakes in the future, in other relationships. The hard part though of having a male therapist is that I have such a crush on him; I don't think that would happen with a woman therapist.
poster:Cindy W
thread:978
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20001011/msgs/1044.html