ABSTRACT
Following on from Desire and the Female Therapist the literature on the erotic transference and countertransference is reviewed and updated, with the focus on the male patient/ female analyst dyad. Transference is traced back to Freud’s original observation that female patients often fall in love with their male analysts. This is developed with reference to later literature particularly that written by women working with men. The split between Freud and Jung centred on their understanding of the meaning and purpose of the erotic transference. Child development and attachment theory is considered. The regression of male patients when working with a female analyst evokes the mother child dyad, but that is not all; with adult patients, adult sexuality is also involved. The nature of the erotic countertransference and sexual attraction within the therapeutic relationship needs to be understood. It is important that the therapist can have flexible attitude, which permits an element of gender confusion and uncertainty about their role and how they might be viewed by the patient. When a terminal illness is diagnosed, in this case, the erotic aspect of the therapeutic relationship intensifies.
