Psychoanalytic Perspectives on Women

Psychoanalytic Perspectives on Women

Elaine V. Siegel

New York, NY: Brunner/Mazel Publishers, Inc., 160 pp., 1992

This fourth volume in the series “Current Issues in Psychoanalytic Practice: Monographs of the Society for Psychoanalytic Training” is a collection of essays and case studies on the inner lives and development of women. It is disappointing to suspect that these papers will not be widely read, as they are well written, illuminating and deal with issues that are central to women in therapy.

The introduction, by Dr. Siegel, is an overview of the collection which is worthwhile reading. However, for those with a limited understanding of psychoanalytic concepts, it may be overly technical and might be better appreciated after reading the other papers.

Laura Fuerstein’s paper provides a contemporary psychoanalytic scheme of female development based on modifications of Freud’s theory. She explores the treatment of women involved with abusive men who experienced their mothers as distant, cold and dominant.

Cfarolyn Celentano examines the inner worlds of women whohave suffocating, intrusive mothers. Ronald Levine presents a convincing argument for the psychoanalytic treatment of (at least some) women with somatic symptoms. His sensitive therapy with one woman who had pseudoseizures and an eating disorder allowed her to develop in areas of emotional expression, individuation and psychological capacity, and to escape from the cycle of somatic communication and medical intervention. Drs. King and Dorpat’s case study of father-daughter incest reminds the reader that incest is not just an event, but happens in the context of a disturbed family. They also caution the therapist against reenacting the boundary violations and intrusion by probing for details of the abuse. Florence Holland’s paper, written some 20 years ago, explores, among other issues, the role of the father in the development of female homosexuality. Dr. Kavaler-Adler wonders about possible gender-specific patterns related to women’s use of the creative process for artistic self-expression. Emily Dickinson and a psychotherapy patient are understood from psychodynamic, sociological and feministic points of view. The final two papers, by Sidney Rosenblatt and Penny Caccavo, were most enjoyable and thought-provoking. Using the tale of Thwnbelina, Rosenblatt explores the development of female sexual identity. Caccavo’s paper makes reference to many symbols, myths and fairy tales to examine the psychological development of women.

Although packaged to appeal to therapists with a psychoanalytic approach, these papers are thoughtful and provide insights that would be invaluable to any therapist.