The Pregnant Therapist
CAROL NADELSON M.D.1,
MALKAH NOTMAN M.D.2,
ELISSA ARONS M.D.3, , and
JUDITH FELDMAN M.D.4
1 Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and Associate Psychiatrist, Beth Israel Hospital, 330 Brookline Ave., Boston, Mass. 02215
2 Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and Psychiatrist, Beth Israel Hospital, 330 Brookline Ave., Boston, Mass. 02215
3 Resident in Psychiatry, Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Boston
4 Child Psychiatrist, Cambridge Guidance Center, Cambridge, Mass
The authors discuss the relevance of a therapist`s pregnancy to the therapeutic interaction, presenting case histories to illustrate the issues that arise. The therapist must deal with increased vulnerability, role integration, and dependency issues with colleagues. In the patient, the pregnancy may evoke infantile feelings, intensified maternal transference, and internal sexual conflicts. The authors recommend that the therapist deal with her pregnancy openly and realistically; they believe that working through the reactions of both therapist and patient may be an effective aspect of therapy.
