The authors note the recent controversy about whether the sex of the
psychotherapist is an important factor in the treatment of patients with
certain neurotic and personality disturbances and suggest that much of the
confusion is because supportive and insight-oriented psychotherapy are not
clearly distinguished. After reviewing the relevant literature they present
five clinical vignettes which suggest that the sex of the therapist is
immaterial in insight-oriented psychotherapy and that attention to
defenses, transference, and resistance remains the cornerstone of
successful psychotherapy.Abstract Teaser