Gendered dynamics in outpatient psychotherapy: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of female patients' and male therapists' experiences

OBJECTIVES: Gender dynamics within the patient-therapist relationship can influence the therapeutic process in meaningful ways. However, the female patient-male therapist dyad has received limited attention in recent psychotherapy research. This article explores how female patients and their male therapists experience the role of gender in outpatient psychotherapy.

DESIGN: This study is a qualitative subproject within a larger research initiative involving psychotherapists in private practice and their patients in Austria. Interviews with patients and therapists were conducted using a comprehensive, semi-structured interview guide.

METHOD: Interviews were conducted with ten participants from female patient-male therapist dyads. The data were analyzed using dyadic interpretative phenomenological analysis and interpreted through the theoretical lens of relational phenomenology.

RESULTS: The analysis identified four themes that illustrate participants' recognition of gender as an important factor influencing psychotherapy: (1) gender shapes the topics and interventions in psychotherapy, (2) the male therapist's gender as valuable for the female patient, (3) the female patient's gender as valuable for the male therapist and (4) attraction between male therapist and female patient. A contrasting fifth theme reflects perspectives suggesting that (5) gender plays a lesser role in psychotherapy.

CONCLUSION: Participants offered varied and sometimes conflicting views on gender's role in outpatient psychotherapy. While they acknowledged its influence, some felt other factors held greater significance. These differing perspectives reflect diverse experiences of gender, which, if not adequately addressed in therapy, may hinder the therapeutic process.