Therapist's sex and gender - its impact on the therapeutic situation

Previous investigations concerning the influence of the therapist's sex on treatments showed various and inconsistent results. Recently conducted studies on gender differences in psychiatric and psychotherapeutic treatments, medical consultation techniques, also concerning the different dyadic constellations, are presented and compared with formerly conducted investigations. Persistent for decades, results display a communication style influenced by cut and dried opinions and gender-role stereotypes. In conclusion, socialization processes, as well as subjectively important (unconscious) meanings and attributions play a specific role in communication processes that have to be considered in clinical situations as well as in research strategies. Therefore the differentiation between science and social science is important.