Psycho-Babble Psychology Thread 661713

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Gender and preferred therapy

Posted by llrrrpp on June 26, 2006, at 20:57:18

Hi All,
I'm going to start a discussion that I've been wondering about since I started hanging out on psycho-babble 7 weeks ago.

I know that most therapy clients are female. (from the book "In Session: the bond between women and their therapists")

I was wondering if males were more likely to be treated using psychopharmacology?

Without evoking unpleasant and offensive gender stereotypes, what could be the reasons for the gender difference?

Is there something about the T-client relationship or the current state-of-the art in psychotherapy that makes women benefit more from psychotherapy? If not, what could explain the gender gap in therapy clientele? (gender differences in propensity to seek treatment? gender differences in prevalence of mental disorders? Cultural factors making it more socially acceptable for women to report being in therapy?)

I'm just trying to understand this new world a little better. I haven't been in treatment for psych disorder very long. But it's likely something that I'll have to struggle with for the rest of my life. I want to learn as much as I can.

Thanks so much,
-ll

 

Re: Gender and preferred therapy

Posted by curtm on June 26, 2006, at 21:29:16

In reply to Gender and preferred therapy, posted by llrrrpp on June 26, 2006, at 20:57:18

My completey uneducated point of view...

..................

Women communicate better with other women (i.e. sex, drugs, rock & roll)

..................

Men communicate better with other men (i.e. sex, drugs, rock & roll)

..................

Dr. Curt

 

Re: Gender and preferred therapy » curtm

Posted by llrrrpp on June 26, 2006, at 21:33:52

In reply to Re: Gender and preferred therapy, posted by curtm on June 26, 2006, at 21:29:16

> My completey uneducated point of view...
>
> ..................
>
> Women communicate better with other women (i.e. sex, drugs, rock & roll)
>

Thanks curt,
I'm not completely certain, but it was my thinking that there are more male psychotherapy providers than female providers?

Anyone please correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm fairly certain, however that there are more male pdocs than female pdocs. Are you suggesting that men seek out pdocs, because they want a man, who they feel will understand them better? This makes sense to me.

Nice to hear from you in these parts, Curtm

:)

-lurpsie

 

Re: Gender and preferred therapy » llrrrpp

Posted by Dinah on June 26, 2006, at 21:45:38

In reply to Re: Gender and preferred therapy » curtm, posted by llrrrpp on June 26, 2006, at 21:33:52

I do believe that women have passed the men in the therapy profession now. I could be wrong, but I was sure I read that somewhere.

I'm not sure about consumers. I happen to associate with men who are very comfortable consulting therapists, at least short term, and there's no stigma. In this day and age, it almost seems to be the automatic thought to go to a therapist.

I think there is a theory, and of course this is generalized and doesn't apply to individuals, that women are more likely to seek answers in relationship with others, so might be more drawn to therapy. Indeed, although I know many men IRL who have no problem consulting a therapist, most have a decidedly more pragmatic approach to it than I do. I think my therapist might even specialize in men to a degree. CBT for the most part. At least half of his clients I've caught sight of are men, maybe more than half.

 

Re: Gender and preferred therapy » llrrrpp

Posted by curtm on June 26, 2006, at 21:59:01

In reply to Re: Gender and preferred therapy » curtm, posted by llrrrpp on June 26, 2006, at 21:33:52

It seems so simple to me...

I, a male, choose a female pdoc to medicate me with drugs, but I choose a male T to talk to.

Few females I actually open up to in person. I don't feel the understanding is quite there.

 

Re: Gender and preferred therapy

Posted by muffled on June 26, 2006, at 22:22:44

In reply to Re: Gender and preferred therapy » llrrrpp, posted by curtm on June 26, 2006, at 21:59:01

I just think men have a tendancy to play it closer to the chest than women.
Certainly in my day males are expected to be the strong one.
I think men feel just as much or mebbe are even more sensitive than women in some ways. They just don't show it.
They burn it off physically.
Thats been the case w/men in my life.
But of course I'm just talking generalities here.
Theres all kinds of people out there.
Just my opinion.
I LOVE men, they great. I'm kindof an overgrown tomboy myself so I think I relate better to men in some ways.
As long as its on the surface and light.
Ramble, ramble, ramble,
Just trying to keep myself out of trouble.
Muffled

 

Re: Gender and preferred therapy

Posted by B2chica on June 27, 2006, at 10:56:17

In reply to Re: Gender and preferred therapy » llrrrpp, posted by curtm on June 26, 2006, at 21:59:01

i can't say i know a lot of guys that go to thearpists i've only known two and both of them prefered female docs and T's. One of them was as Gay as they come and personally i think he'd been kinda 'cr@pped on' by a male T that he tried and i think after that he went to female T's. you know, making all his affective issues be because of his 'gender confusion' (cr@p). i personally have always been a tom-boy and had male friends...so i much prefer a male T. except my last T thought that since i did have 'women-trust' issues that maybe i should see a female for my next one. so i'm seeing one now, but it's good cuz she specializes in PPD and stuff, good for me right now (she also has 5 yes 5 kids of her own).

my pdoc, well he's just as cute as can be. and frankly i wouldn't care if pdoc were male or female as long as we both had similar outlook on medications and treatment.

b2c.

 

Re: Gender and preferred therapy » llrrrpp

Posted by bent on June 27, 2006, at 12:10:47

In reply to Gender and preferred therapy, posted by llrrrpp on June 26, 2006, at 20:57:18

I have often thought about this. I am comfortable with the idea of therapy. My fiance however, is not...yet we go to a couples therapist. Go figure? He has always said that he doesnt see the point, or he doesnt see how talking to some and having to pay to talk to that person, can be helpful. I am sure I sorta wondered these things before I ever entered therapy. But I notice where we differ and where he gets hung up in couples therapy. I can sit there and explain a situation and how it made me feel. He can explain a situation, but not the feelings. He may flat out deny feeling any thing. Our T tries to work with him and sometimes he opens up a little. When he does its like meeting a new part of him. I think for a lot of men it might be the feelings. They dont see how talking about feelings can get you anywhere, like they are not important. Or maybe even more they are afraid. I guess when you look at the difference between men and women on an emotional level its obvious that this could be a problem. I know my fiance has feelings but I also know he cant always put them into words like I can. And I think that makes him frightened of therapy. This is only my experience and I am sure there are many men who are quite comfortable with their emotions.
When our couples therapist wanted to see him alone for a few sessions he was very resistant but after talking about it a few weeks he went and he was surprised at how well it went. The therapist has also talked to him about a consult with a psychiatrist which he still flat out refuses. That, I think, is more a stigma thing sadly. Unfortunately, I think the negative therapy-stigma plays a large role in all this.

 

Re: Gender and preferred therapy

Posted by ElaineM on June 27, 2006, at 12:51:53

In reply to Re: Gender and preferred therapy » llrrrpp, posted by bent on June 27, 2006, at 12:10:47

From my soc. classes at school, I think the stats said that more men tend to have externalizing symptoms, while women have internalizing ones. And externalizing ones are more likely to first be treated with medication. From what I read (and this was only from one textbook, so I could be way off-base), mental illness in males is more often approached using the medical model, and females, the psychological one.

I also vaguely remember it saying stuff that did point to the importence of the cultural expectations of each gender. That it is more acceptable for women to show emotions, share emotions, and focus on interpersonal relations - pointing to the talking solution. And men tend to be socialized to value independence, control and quick solutions. (Sorry if this is generalizing - not meant to offend)

However, I think that is changing. The last time I was in ED treatment there were three men, which was a big deal. They often said that they didn't mind being among female patients and professionals, but that it was enlightening. I guess it does come down to personal preference and how much you'd feel someone of the opposite gender could relate to your problems. I know when I feel like I'm a freak-show outcast, all I'm ever hoping for is that someone will share some small commonality with me, (always wishing to be more than one - part of something more than me) and when I'm that desperate I think that having the same gender is something at least. A small start. (that's just me - sometimes I don't think I ever really know what's motivating me to do one thing or another)

Interesting subject though. I was always too afraid to take part in lectures in school, and I enjoy reading of everyone's different thoughts. I'd like to be able to understand more.
EL

 

Re: Gender and preferred therapy

Posted by caraher on June 27, 2006, at 14:20:50

In reply to Re: Gender and preferred therapy » llrrrpp, posted by bent on June 27, 2006, at 12:10:47

First, I am a man...

Personally, I don't have a strong "either/or" preference for therapy vs. meds. "Whatever works" is my philosophy. And from what I've read I've come to believe therapy and meds work in different ways that make a combination approach the most likely to work.

One stereotypical "guy" attitude of mine is aversion to doctors and medicines. (I don't take anything for headaches, for instance.) That actually inclines me somewhat toward a preference for therapy, if anything. But ultimately I've found medication an annoying but probably necessary component to dealing with depression.

As for therapy, I'm more interested in "results" than developing a relationship or obtaining "insight." That doesn't mean I'm not at all interested in those things, but that I'm paying >$100/hour in order to function better, not to have a friend or suurrogate parent. It does seem there is a tendency by some to subtly denigrate CBT as "shallow," but if it works what's the problem? (I also agree with those who lament the tendency in some health care systems to use a cookie-cutter approach; I don't think CBT works for everyone and alternative approaches should be available. I'm just relentlessly pragmatic about the whole issue... show me results!)

I've also never expressed a preference for males or females either as pdocs or as therapists. As it turned out, all my pdocs except two have been male and all my therapists except one have been female. I don't think it makes any difference whatsoever what the sex of my pdoc is. I do think I generally tend to communicate better with women, so the fact that I've only had one male T probably isn't coincidental.


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