| Description |
Interest in the topic of women and psychotherapy has burgeoned in recent years. Theorists and researchers have examined traditional psychotherapies (Manalis, 1976; Mednick & Weissman, 1975; Wesley, 1975), professional attitudes and behavior (Abramowitz, Abramowitz, Jackson,; & Gomes, 1973; Broverman, Broverman, Clarkson, Rosenkrantz, & Vogel, 1970), and professional training (Maslin & Davis, 1973; Pleck, 1976; Weisstein, 1971) for evidence of sexist beliefs and practices. Therapists have been accused of perpetuating narrow role definitions for women on the one hand, and praised for helping women cope with conflictual role demands and expectations on the other. Most likely, the actual treatment of women in therapy lies between the two polemics. Therefore, the question is not which polemic to believe, but how to approach a value-laden area and critically assess results and trends in research and reveal directions for future studies. |
