Dispositives of subjectivation and women’s suffering

towards a gendered listening of emotions in psychotherapy

Abstract

Love-related suffering is recurrent in psychotherapy with women. This article presents three clinical cases involving women, based on gender studies and the notion of love and maternal dispositive. It analyses women’s love experiences and the vulnerability constituted by way of gendered subjectification processes. It argues that this type of perspective provides an important theoretical tool, allowing the refinement of clinical listening and qualification of interventions.

KEYWORDS: Gender. Mental Health. Psychotherapy. Love. Suffering.