Gender Dynamics in Psychotherapy

[Page 647]Gender dynamics in psychotherapy refers to the influence of gender socialization and gender roles in the therapeutic process. The complex interplay of gender with intersectional identities, such as age, disability status, sexual orientation, social class, race, and ethnicity, influences the therapeutic relationship between the client and the therapist. Gender represents a salient and immediate trait that influences the social perception of a person. A person’s gender is often a readily identifiable characteristic, and this perception of gender may be a significant dynamic even before psychotherapy begins. Assumptions based on gender and identifiers such as gender presentation may emerge as soon as the client makes an initial appointment. To increase the likelihood of a positive therapy outcome, therapists should be aware of how factors such ...