The professional woman as patient: a review and an appeal

The unique problems that the professional woman brings to therapy are presented here. It is the author's contention that the career woman's difficulties are not adequately realized or understood by many male therapists. Many of these patients are disappointed with or highly critical of their therapy with male psychiatrists. Two sub-groups of professional women are described: the married professional woman and the unattached professional woman. There are critical sex-role relate issues and countertransference problems which arise with the male therapist: professional woman patient dyad. Other implications for male psychiatrists are outlined and suggestions offered toward therapist enlightenment.